Pro Sports

Stewart, Storm hand Liberty 6th straight loss, 79-71 in OT

Posted May 28, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Seattle Storm's Breanna Stewart rises up to defend against a shot by New York Liberty's AD Durr during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 27, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) - Breanna Stewart scored 13 of her 29 points after the third quarter, Jewell Loyd finished with 21 points and the Seattle Storm gave up a 16-point second-half lead before beating the New York Liberty 79-71 in overtime on Friday night.

Sue Bird, Ezi Magbegor and Stephanie Talbot missed the game due to health and safety protocols. Magbegor moved into the starting lineup this season in the place of Mercedes Russell, who hasn't played since suffering a non-basketball related injury in April.

Stewart made 6 of 8 from the free-throw line in the final 2 minutes of the fourth quarter and then hit a 3-pointer to give Seattle (4-3) the lead for good at 70-67 just 35 seconds into overtime.

Briann January added 11 points for the Storm, including a 3-pointer that made it 74-69 with less than 2 minutes remaining.

Natasha Howard led New York (1-6) with 17 points and nine rebounds. Han Xu added 12 points, while Rebecca Allen and Stefanie Dolson each scored 11.

Seattle's Gabby Williams was fouled on a driving layup attempt with 2.3 seconds left in regulation and the game tied at 67-all, but she missed both free throws.

Seattle scored the first 10 points in a 17-4 run that pushed the Storm's lead to 14 points before going into halftime ahead 34-24. Chantel Lavender made back-to-back baskets before Loyd hit a step-back 3-pointer midway through the third quarter that gave Seattle its biggest lead of the game at 43-27.

New York has lost six games in a row.

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

Seattle Storm's Jantel Lavender, right, tries to get the ball from New York Liberty's Rebecca Allen during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 27, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

Seattle Storm's Breanna Stewart shoots against New York Liberty's AD Durr, left, and Han Xu during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 27, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

Seattle Storm's Jewell Loyd (24) blocks a shot by New York Liberty's Han Xu during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 27, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

Seattle Storm's Breanna Stewart is defended by New York Liberty's Crystal Dangerfield, right, and Michaela Onyenwere in overtime of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 27, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

Seattle Storm's Gabby Williams fights through the double-team in the lane by New York Liberty's Rebecca Allen, left, and Han Xu during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 27, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) The Associated Press

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