Dallas bombards Seattle with 16 3s; Chong enters concussion protocol

Arlington, TX -- How do you stop a losing streak? Break some franchise records.

The Dallas Wings lost both of their matchups last week on the road and were in dire need for a refresh button. With the talk of playoffs beginning and the Wings sitting at an uneasy seventh seed, Dallas had to make a decision to step up to the plate.

And step up to the plate they did. The Wings not only routed a highly talented Seattle Storm team 93-80, but also broke a couple season highs in the process.

“Anytime you come into a team’s home gym, especially with both fighting for playoff position. They shot the ball really well, and from there, they could shoot with their eyes closed and I’m sure it would go in,” Seattle Storm Forward Breanna Stewart said.

Dallas scored 55 points in the first half which broke their season high of points in a first 20 minutes of action and the Wings weren’t done there.

Dallas finished the game with a new franchise record of 16 made 3-pointers, with Skylar Diggins-Smith making both the tying shot and the triple that broke the record in the third quarter. Not only was it their own franchise record, the Wings’ 16 made three’s also tied the WNBA record for made three-pointers in one game.

“I mean they shot incredibly well. You know, they hit more threes in the first half than they have all season in a game. So, they were on fire,” Seattle Storm Head Coach Jenny Boucek said. “They were very efficient in this game and we never really could get back as the aggressors. They started out as the aggressors, and we couldn’t quite cool them off.”

As well as making those two 3-pointers, Diggins-Smith was able to add three more to her scorecard before the night ended. She finished the matchup with 23 points, seven assists and three rebounds leading the team in both scoring and assists.

Dallas forward Glory Johnson also provided a performance for the home crowd as she tallied her ninth double-double of the season. Her 16 rebounds tied her season high this summer, while she finished with 11 points.

“I think this was one of the best-balanced performances this year. Especially with the production on the offensive boards and defensively, and our fast break points,” stated Dallas’ head coach Fred Williams.

“We really executed well in the open court. I think all the way around, it was a solid combination of defense and a good, solid 12 players that we have on the roster now that can give us some rest,” concluded Williams.

In the case of the Seattle Storm, lack of offensive fluidity became the team’s Achilles heel for the evening. They started a little slow, with Sue Bird unable to connect on her early field goal attempts and the team unable to grab a couple of loose balls. Breanna Stewart may have finished with 21 and Jewell Loyd with 23, but their points couldn’t compare to the Wings overwhelming offensive force.

“We definitely felt like we had a good week of practice and maybe had a little something to prove to us, as far as what happened on the road against them and then what happened here,” stated Diggins-Smith.

“We definitely wanted to close out the series against them. They are a team that is right on the bubble, so every win is important. Coming back home, I thought everybody contributed and we were just making shots tonight,” explained Diggins-Smith after the game.

The Wings have a quick turnaround as they face the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, Aug. 6 at 3:30 pm CT while the Seattle Storm have an even quicker turnaround matchup vs the San Antonio Stars tomorrow, Aug. 5 at 7 pm CT in San Antonio.