It was an even battle in the second half as the Wings faced the Storm inside Key Arena, falling in the final minutes 78-66.
After being down by 11 at the half, the Wings took the lead when Plenette Pierson hit a turnaround jump shot to put Dallas up by a basket. The Wings started the second half on a 10-2 run, capped off by an Odyssey Sims jumper. Rookie Aerial Powers came off the bench to score seven straight points and keep Dallas within a couple of possessions.
Pierson led the team in scoring with 19 points and four rebounds. Skylar Diggins also scored double figures, with 10 points and five assists. Glory Johnson led the team in rebounds recording nine rebounds.
Seattle’s Jewell Lloyd the Storm in scoring with 23 points, while rookie Breanna Stewart finished with 17.
The Wings head back to Arlington to take on the Los Angeles Sparks Friday, September 2.
Dallas Wings Team Notes
• Plenette Pierson scored a team-high 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting. This marks her 13th scoring double digits for the Wings this season.
• Tonight’s loss is the ninth consecutive loss for Dallas, who falls to 9-19 on the season.
DALLAS WING POSTGAME QUOTES
WINGS HEAD COACH FRED WILLIAMS
(On the game)
“It was a hard-fought game. I thought both teams played really well down the stretch, but at about the 3-minute mark, we had some shots that just didn’t go down for us – a lot of layups and shots that rimmed out. I thought Sue Bird did an excellent job of picking and choosing her shots from the outside. It was a good game for the fans. For us, we fought hard, but just didn’t get our breaks down the stretch and didn’t get into the penalty situation like we wanted to in that fourth (quarter). When you don’t have those things going for you those last four or five minutes, teams at home are going to get you.”
(On the difference in the second and third quarters to force the tie going into the fourth)
“Just picking up our energy. At the beginning, we had great energy, but they kept front-cutting us a lot and we kept giving them some touches going to the basket early. We tried to really make them a perimeter-shooting team. Then they made shots – (Jewell) Loyd and Bird from the outside.”
(On what he tells the team going forward)
“You stay strong. We have a young team that’s been battling through some injuries throughout the season and some players still trying to get back to full strength. You just keep battling, keep playing hard and it carries over to each game you play and it will also build a lot of character for the future.”
WINGS FORWARD GLORY JOHNSON 7 POINTS, 9 REBOUNDS
(On the game)
“I think we started a little slow and we weren’t all on the same page on defense. Sometimes we’ll all be on the same page and communicating, and it looks great, and other times we’re not. Sometimes we’re rushing shots and just not comfortable. I think when we’re on, know exactly what we’re doing, we’re communicating with each other extremely well, then that’s when we all click. And it looks the best and it’s fun that way. We’re going to keep working hard. We’ve got seven games left and we’re going to keep on pushing until the end. Regardless of a playoff run, we’re still going to play hard because that’s what we do.”