The Seattle Storm had a huge fourth quarter performance from Jewell Loyd to thank for their victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night. Loyd scored 14 of her game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Storm to a 79-72 win.
The Storm were trailing by 10 points at the start of the fourth quarter, but Loyd’s hot shooting and strong defense helped turn the tide. She scored nine points in the first four minutes of the quarter to cut the deficit to one, and then scored five more points in the final four minutes to help the Storm pull away. Loyd was also active on defense, recording four steals and two blocks in the fourth quarter alone.
The Storm also received a big lift from forward Breanna Stewart, who scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Stewart was instrumental in helping the Storm establish a strong presence in the paint, which allowed them to get easy baskets and control the tempo of the game.
The win was the Storm’s sixth in a row and their ninth in their last 10 games. It was also their third consecutive victory over the Mercury, and it improved their record to 16-7 on the season.
Loyd’s performance was a huge part of the win, and it was a reminder of why she is one of the best players in the WNBA. Her ability to take over games in the fourth quarter is unmatched, and it is a huge asset for the Storm. With Loyd leading the way, the Storm look poised to make a deep run in the playoffs this season.
