Seattle WA—- Nneka Ogwumike and Jewell Loyd led the Storm (3-3) to a commanding 101-69 victory over the Washington Mystics. Five Seattle players scored double figures, with Ezi Magbegor and Skylar Diggins-Smith contributing 16 points each, and Sami Whitcomb adding 12, hitting 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
The Mystics (0-6) are off to their worst start since the 2007 team opened the season with eight consecutive losses.
Diggins-Smith made two free throw with 6:26 left in the first quarter that made it 12-11 and the Storm led the rest of the game. Julie Vanloo made a driving layup that cut Washington’s lead to 19-15 with 3:38 to go in the first quarter but the Mystics went scoreless for the next four-plus minutes and didn’t make another bucket until Jade Melbourne hit a jumper that made it 31-19 with 8:32 remaining in the first half.
Vanloo drained a deep trey that pulled the Mystics within 50-43 at the break but got no closer. Diggins-Smith found Magbegor for a 3-pointer that made it 55-45 with 8:09 left in the third quarter and Seattle led by double figures the rest of the contest
The Mystics struggled, marking their worst start since 2007, now 0-6. Despite efforts from Karlie Samuelson, Jade Melbourne, and Julie Vanloo, the Mystics couldn’t close the gap. Seattle dominated shooting, hitting 61.7% from the field, 54.5% from 3-point range, and 15 of 18 from the free-throw line, while the Mystics lagged behind with 34.3% from the field and 35% from 3-point range.
Karlie Samuelson led the Mystics with 16 points, Melbourne chipped in 13 and Vanloo poured in 12.
Washington made 24 of 70 (34.3%) from the hardwood and 7 of 20 (35%) from behind the arc.
