In double overtime, Napheesa Collier helps the Lynx defeat the Storm.
On Friday night in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Seattle Storm 102-93 in double overtime thanks to 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and six steals from Napheesa Collier.
For Minnesota, which defeated Seattle for the second time in less than a week, Kayla McBride scored 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting. In the end, Alanna Smith recorded a game-high six blocked shots, five rebounds, and 16 points.
Leading Seattle with 24 points and 11 rebounds was Nneka Ogwumike. Jewell Loyd finished with 20 points but only made 4 of 21 from the field, while Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 22 points.
Before faltering late in regulation, the Lynx led for the majority of the contest.
Seattle tied the game at 78-78 and forced the first overtime period with a 17-4 surge to end the fourth quarter.
With twenty-four seconds remaining, the Lynx led 78-75 and McBride was in the free-throw line twice. However, McBride, who had a career shooting percentage of 89.5 percent from the charity stripe going into the game, missed both of her attempts.
Shortly after, Loyd attempted a three-point shot on the other side of the floor and was fouled by McBride. To tie the game, Lloyd calmly hit all three of his free shots.
With 2.7 seconds remaining in the first overtime, the Lynx might have taken the lead. As Collier made her first free throw attempt but missed her second, the score went into double overtime tied at 88-88.
In the last session, Minnesota built a 14-5 edge and finally grabbed control. Collier and McBride made back-to-back 3-pointers to start the second overtime period, and Smith added another with 1:25 left to stretch the Lynx’s advantage to 99-91.
By the end of the first quarter, the Lynx led 22–16, and at the half, they were up 44–37.
With 5:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, Bridget Carleton sank two free throws, which put Seattle behind 74-61. With 4:58 left, Nneka Ogwumike ignited Seattle’s late-game comeback with a 3-pointer off a Diggins-Smith pass.
Making her home debut, freshman Alissa Pili of the Lynx ended with five points and two rebounds. This spring, Minnesota selected Pili in the first round out of Utah.