The Storm surrendered a staggering 29 points to the Sun in the first quarter, forcing Seattle to play from behind the rest of the night. The uphill climb was one the Storm were ready for, holding Connecticut to just 17 points in each of the next three quarters.
It was this defensive focus, alongside a cool 20 points from Natisha Hiedeman and a career-high 18 points from forward Mackenzie Holmes, that positioned Seattle within striking distance down the stretch.
A Jade Melbourne backdoor cut finished with a dazzling reverse layup gave the Storm the 1-point lead with just under a minute left to play. Two clutch Holmes free throws boosted Seattle’s advantage to 3 points with 40 seconds left in the contest. The Storm were poised to earn their first home win of the season in comeback fashion.
Right out of a Sun timeout, a quick Aaliyah Edwards bucket brought Connecticut within a point with just over 30 seconds to play. A Sun defensive stop and some solar-powered fastbreak offense produced the final field goal of the night: a Kennedy Burke and-one lay to take back the lead for the visitors with only 2.8 seconds remaining.
A Seattle timeout advanced the basketball, and the Storm would have their chance to capture the W. Hiedeman, who had converted on three 3-pointers throughout the night, broke free from the Sun defense for a straightaway open look from beyond the arc. Final in Seattle: 80-78 in favor of the Sun.
“It felt good when I shot it,” Hiedeman said after the game. “Looks like it’s going in, then it just bounced out.” Hiedeman’s attempt came just short of the cup to clinch the come-from-behind victory for the Storm.
As temperatures rise into the 70s over the weekend, the Sun will look to continue to shine in Seattle as the two ballclubs will face off for the third time this season on Friday. With the season series tied at one apiece, and with the way game 2 concluded, volume 3 will surely be something to keep an eye out for on the forecast.
Tip-off for Friday’s rubber match is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
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