Lauren Jackson returns as Seattle Storm rally past New York Liberty 63-62 – WNBA Recap
Lauren Jackson returned to the floor after missing 20 games and scored 10 of her game high 20 points in the fourth quarter as Seattle Storm squeaked out a 63-62 victory over the New York Liberty at the Key Arena on Saturday night.
It was the second consecutive victory for the Storm, who have now moved into the third position in the Western Conference.
Jackson also grabbed seven rebounds in more than 21 minutes of action. The player went 6 for 10 from the field, including 3 for 5 from three-point range and 5 for 5 from free throw line.
Seattle coach Brian Agler said, "She played well. We are a different team, obviously. You have to give everybody credit for keeping us competitive without her. But we can be much better with her."
Although Jackson made a terrific comeback and stole the show, but Katie Smith was the real difference maker as, after Sue Bird had knocked down a three to make it a two point game, she hit a game-winning three-pointer with 01:12
left on the clock.
Sue Bird finished with 14 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals while Camille Little ended with 11 points and five rebounds for Storm, who are now a half-game ahead of San Antonio Silver Stars with a 14-12 record.
Plenette Pierson led New York with 15 points and five rebounds. Cappie Pondexter added 12 points, six assists and six rebounds for Liberty, who are third in the Eastern Conference with a 15-12 record. Essence Carson also came off
the bench with 12 points, five rebounds and two steals while Kia Vaughn ended with 11 points and five rebounds in the loss.
New York shot 38.7 percent (24 for 62) from the field, 66.7 percent (8 for 12) from three-point range and 60 percent (6 for 10) from free throw line. Seattle shot just 35.1 percent (20 for 57) from the floor, 35 percent (7 for
20) beyond the arc and 88.9 percent (16 for 18) from the line.
Liberty missed nine of its first 10 shots in the opening period as Seattle raced off to a 17-3 lead with 04:06 to go in the quarter. New York however found their groove in the passage that followed and responded with a 10-1 run,
trimming their deficit to five points, 18-13. Bird made a three point play on the next possession while Jackson followed her with a three-pointer as Seattle maintained a 24-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
New York outscored the hosts 14-8 in the second quarter and cut Seattle’s lead to five points, 32-27, at halftime. Liberty continued to push after the break and trailed by only three 03:06 left in the quarter. They then scored
seven consecutive points and carried a 49-45 advantage into the last quarter.
In a tightly contested fourth quarter, Seattle fought back and the score was tied 57 before Liberty went on a 5-0 run to go ahead by 62-57. However, Bird knocked down a dagger from downtown to trim the margin to two and Smith followed
her with a three-pointer to seal the victory.
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