Submitted by | StormFanNo1

We saw the standard playoff contender Storm game in the first half. LJ was dominant, scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds, and everybody else contributed. The only low point in the first half was Sue's (lack of) defense against Dawn Staley. Despite being an excellent passer and ball handler, Sue is struggling against veteran point guards like Dawn. We finished the first half up by 8 points, and it looked like another rollover victory for the Storm was in hand.

The second half was completely different however. Whatever coach Trudy fed the Sting players during half time worked well and they came out on fire. With a stymiing defense and nailing their key shots, Sting erased the 8 point deficit and went up by 5 during the first 6 minutes of the game. All of a sudden we were behind and had a tough game in hand. At this point coach Ann decided the sub Tully for Sue, which turned out to be a brilliant decision. Tully managed to disrupt Sting's game and successfully got into Dawn's head with her pesky defense.

With their main playmaker ineffective, Sting's scoring sprree came to an end, and the Storm clawed its way back to tie the score. Dawn had three fouls during this time, the last one due to pushing Tully out of bounds just as she tried to grab the ball. This happened right in front of the referee, so I can't figure out how Dawn thought she could get away with it. I think it was just an act of frustration. Surely a few minutes later she also got a T, which is very untypical for a veteran player like her. We tied the score around the half way mark, and played the rest of the game with Tully at the Point and Sue at 2.

LJ, after having scored almost nothing up to that point in the second half, returned to her dominant inside play, and the Storm started to pull away. Sting defense was ineffective against LJ's inside play, and all they could do was to foul to stop her. I knew victory was in hand when I looked at the score board and saw that all three Sting post players had 5 fouls 4 minutes before the end of the game. One of them fouled out, and we simply cruised to victory after that with LJ's unchallenged inside play. Sting tried to stop the clock by resorting to fouling during the last few minutes. But this only helped increase our lead, since they couldn't score when they had the ball.
 
Important stats from the game:
 
LJ 23pts, 20 rebounds. At the end of the game it was announced that LJ was only the second or third player in the WNBA history to reach the 20/20 mark.  
Dawn: 16 points 0 fouls in the first half.
0 points, 4 fouls and 1 T in the second half.
 
Highlight of the game: Amanda's come from behind block which electrified the crowd in the second half.

Submitted by | eclair

My lovely brother from Connecticut, (christened "croissant" by Sass), attended the game with me today. He's been watching Sue Bird play since she was in high school. I think her game was off because she was nervous that he was there .
 
Croissant's highlight of the game? (A turning point for the Storm, BTW) Tully Bevilaqua landing square in his lap. He was careful to make sure she didn't whack her head. Up close and personal, indeed. He says he will never wash his lap again.
 
And while I'm sure that was also Tully's personal highlight, girl was on fire (pardon the pun) with a career high 14 points. I remember when I really disliked her, when she played for Portland--my friend Laura classified her as one of the Little Mean Ones. (Debbie Black is the Chairman of the Little Mean Ones.) Now that she's travelled north, let's just call her a Little Spectacular One.
 
Professor Croissant's new hero? Allison Feaster. Drop-dead gorgeous, amazing moves, and a Harvard grad. A Harvard grad. Even a he, the long-time Yalie, could find some love for a girl like that.  
 
Charlotte got much more physical in the second half. Must have been the Wheaties er something, but the Storm's penetration was nonexistent for the begining of the half.
 
Miss Dawn Staley was jawing at the refs all night long. She'd have been T'd up much, much sooner if she weren't Dawn Staley. BTW, I'll take full credit for the T. As she approached Bell for the umpteenth time a-whining, I said, "She's complained one too many times. She's due for a T," and simultaneously with my lips forming the word "T," the hands went perpendicular.
 
So what did Dawn Staley do while Lauren shot her extra shot? Walked over to where Ray Allen was sitting and mumbled to herself. Loudly. I think she might have been talking to him, or maybe her braids were too tight...
 
Quote of the night: After Kamila was called for a 3-second violation early in the first half, Big Lo erupted with "You can't even *count* to three, Sally." Sally Bell laughed so hard she almost dropped her whistle.
 
And speaking of Sally, another disgraceful day at the office. A photographer for "Referee Magazine" was covering the game. I wondered if the photos were for their Hall of Shame. I must say, though, she has an excellent sense of humor. She played along with Doppler's antics in a cheerful sort of way.
 
Doppler. What can I say about Doppler? I think we have to get married now. While admiring a little girl's doll in the row directly behind me, he planted his butt so firmly against the back of my head that I couldn't hear anything for all the red fur wrapped around my poor ears. Doppler, may I suggest some split leg squats and a few lunges for that problem fanny?
 
He was in rare form, though kinda scarce. Piloting a remote control car with a Sue bobble at the helm, he maneuvered a pink and white ball ala David Beckham. And when the Sue bobble fell down, he administered CPR. He also kissed Adia's sore knee better, which was adorable. He also sat down amidst the tow-headed children of Wally Walker, provoking gales of laughter, and messed with Karen Bryant. Is somebody kissing up?
 
Adia, dear Adia. You stress this mother's soul. You're injured--wear some sturdier shoes. Elevate that leg. Use your crutches. We love you so much! Just get better. You're way cute even without the sexy shoes. (I have those same shoes, BTW)
 
eclair's favorite moment? Sue Bird and Lauren giggling hysterically when Sue wandered over to Lauren to tell her she had "19 (insert your favorite epithet here) rebounds." When Lauren got the 20th, the two of them were in convulsions--I'm amazed they could play that last minute.
 
eclair's second favorite moment? A. Lassiter's block, baby. Monster. Filthy. Awe-inspiring.  
 
On a serious note, our dearest Sheddie is in dire need of a liver transplant. Please send your donations in care of stormfan7.
 
Mariners play a day game, and Mark McLemore brings his kiddies and lovely wife to the game! He's my new favorite baseball player.
 
Yay! I met scowl today. Finally. I recognized him by his artistic, yet passe, tattoo. And I saw brrrringit. And also hundreds of stormfans I already know. The one great thing about Husky basketball season is that we all get to sit with each other. I like that sooooo much.
 
Have I mentioned that we have the best dressed coaching staff in the biz? Jenny Boucek should wear that color blue more often.
 
Hearty thanks to all those who made big noise for my son, "Craig of Redmond," as he attempted his 3-point shot. He says he never hears the noise when he's on the court/mound/plate/in thepocket. I do, and I'm always grateful. And extra love for beanie, who I zipped by and then ignored in my excitement. I cheered wildly when she and Teddy were on the big screen, and I hope that buys a little forgiveness.

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