Pro Sports

Stewart scores 28 to help Storm beat Sparks 83-80

Posted May 21, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd passes the ball between Los Angeles Sparks guard Brittney Sykes and forward Nneka Ogwumike during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 20, 2022, in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) - Breanna Stewart scored 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting and the Seattle Storm held on for an 83-80 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday night.

Ezi Magbegor had nine points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Jewell Loyd added 11 points for the Storm (3-3) and has reached double-figure scoring in 155 games since 2016 - most in the WNBA.

Stephanie Talbot hit a 3-pointer to give Seattle, which never trailed, a 41-23 lead with 6:15 left in the second quarter. The Storm took a 16-point lead when Sue Bird made a 3 early in the second half and it was 79-69 when Stewart made a jumper with 3:27 to play.

Liz Cambage scored four points during an 8-0 run by the Sparks but Stewart answered with a driving layup and, after Cambage slipped a pass between two defenders to Nneka Ogwumike for an easy basket, Bird hit two free throws to make it 83-79 with 45.5 seconds left.

Ogwumike missed a clean look at a potential tying corner 3 as time expired.

Cambage led Los Angeles with 25 points and eight rebounds. Ogwumike added 20 points and Brittney Sykes scored 10.

Seattle made 29 field goals and had 27 assists.

The Sparks (2-4) have lost four in a row after back-to-back wins to start the season - including 98-91 win over the Chicago Sky, the 2021 WNBA champions, in the opener.

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More AP women's basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd, right, goes up against Los Angeles Sparks center Liz Cambage during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 20, 2022, in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) beats three Los Angeles Sparks players to the basket during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 20, 2022, in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor, left, blocks a shot by Los Angeles Sparks center Liz Cambage during the first quarter of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 20, 2022, in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

Seattle Storm forward Jantel Lavende, right,r goes up for a rebound with Los Angeles Sparks forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa applies pressure during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 20, 2022, in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

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