Storm stay hot by fending off short-handed Liberty

Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high-tying 26 points, including a key 3-pointer in the last two minutes, as the Seattle Storm subdued the short-handed New York Liberty 89-79 on Sunday.

Ogwumike's 3-pointer off a busted play late in the shot clock gave Seattle (9-5) a six-point advantage with 1:29 left. Her layup off an assist from Gabby Williams with 34 seconds remaining sealed the outcome.

Skylar Diggins added 20 points and six assists for the Storm, while Williams stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and four steals. Seattle used aggressive defense to fuel its win, coming up with 13 steals and converting 21 turnovers into 22 points.

Breanna Stewart scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out seven assists for New York (10-3). Marine Johannes added 17 points, 12 in the first half, and Rebekah Gardner chipped in 12.

Stewart made a free throw with 2:20 left to pull the Liberty -- who trailed by 10 early in the fourth quarter -- within 80-77. Natasha Cloud answered Ogwumike's midrange jumper with a layup at the 1:52 mark to cut the margin to three again, but that was as close as New York could get.

New York started a four-game Western road trip without three starters, including two of its star players. Already down Jonquel Jones (ankle) for 4 to 6 weeks after she was injured Thursday night in a loss to Phoenix, the Liberty declared Sabrina Ionescu out with neck tightness, stemming from the team's cross-country flight Friday.

But New York was able to make it a good game as Johannes converted her first seven shots, including three 3-pointers. The Liberty led by four late in the second quarter before Seattle rallied for a 43-42 edge at the break.

Points off turnovers fueled a Storm surge early in the third quarter. They went up nine at the 5:48 mark on a 3-pointer by Ogwumike that capped a 10-2 run, helped by turnovers from Stewart and Cloud. Seattle took a 68-61 advantage to the fourth period.

--Field Level Media