Storm earn big victory in New York, reach 100 points since 2012 season

 

NEW YORK, NY - Jewell Loyd scored 25 points and Breanna Stewart added 23 to help the Seattle Storm beat the New York Liberty 102-78 on Wednesday night.

Crystal Langhorne had 21 points for the Storm (13-17), who moved into a tie for seventh place in the playoff chase.  Seattle has four games left in the regular season.

Even with the loss the Liberty secured the third seed in the WNBA playoffs with Chicago's loss to Washington. New York has a first round bye and will play the lowest remaining seed in the second round.

With the game tied at 48 early in the third quarter, Seattle went on a 13-3 run to take control of the game. Stewart got the burst started and Sue Bird capped it with a 3-pointer that made it 61-51.

New York (20-10) couldn't get within eight the rest of the way.

Tina Charles led the Liberty with 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Sugar Rodgers added 15 points.

New York was still without Tanisha Wright (knee), Kiah Stokes (hip) and Shoni Schimmel (concussion).

Seattle ended an eight-game losing streak against the Liberty.

New York honored Swin Cash in a postgame ceremony. The 15-year veteran announced in June that she would retire at the end of the season.  Speakers included WNBA President Lisa Borders, Tina Thompson, Bird and Isiah Thomas.