McBride leads Stars late in win over Storm

SAN ANTONIO – Kayla McBride scored 12 of her 23 points in the final 6:07 to help San Antonio rally from an eight-point deficit to win its second straight game, knocking off Seattle 73-71 on Saturday night.

It was the Stars’ second consecutive comeback in the fourth quarter. Jia Perkins scored San Antonio’s final five points Thursday night and knocked down a game-winning 3-pointer with 24.9 seconds left to beat the Phoenix Mercury 76-71 for the team’s first win of the season.

Down 65-57 after Ramu Tokashiki’s layup with 6:56 left in the game, McBride sandwiched 3-pointers around a pair of free throws, then knocked down a 20-footer to make it 69-67 with 4:37 to play.

Danielle Robinson’s 14-footer tied it at 71 and McBride added the game-winner with 22 seconds left for San Antonio (2-6).

Sue Bird’s jumper from the top of the key would not fall, snapping the Storm’s three-game win streak at San Antonio.

Crystal Langhorne scored 18 points to lead Seattle (2-6), with Tokashiki and Bird each adding 14 points.

It was rookie center Tokashiki’s first career start in the WNBA, replacing Abby Bishop in a game-time decision by Seattle coach Jenny Boucek.

The late change proved effective early with Tokashiki’s length and activity helping Seattle to a fast start offensively as well as hindering San Antonio’s drives.

Seattle plays at Tulsa this evening before a return match at home against the Shock on Tuesday at KeyArena.