Jackson cuffs Lynx
Lauren Jackson scored a season-high 34 points, including 16 in the first quarter, as the Seattle Storm rallied from an early 15-2 deficit to beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-71 on Saturday night at Seattle.
Jackson hit 15 of 22 from the floor, including 7 of 11 during the first quarter. Her last basket of the game was a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Storm (11-7) a 72-51 lead with 2:14 left in the third quarter. She sat out the final 12 minutes as Seattle’s lead never slipped to less than 20.
Jackson had set her previous season high of 33 points on Thursday in an 84-71 victory at home against New York.
Seattle’s point total was its highest of the year. Its previous best came on May 22 in an 87-83 victory at Phoenix.
Sue Bird handed out a season-high 11 assists for the Storm, with eight going to Jackson. Bird also chipped in 12 points.
Dream wake up
Ivory Latta scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half Saturday to help the Atlanta Dream end the longest losing skid to start a season in league history with a 91-84 win over the Chicago Sky at Atlanta.
Kristin Haynie had 11 points and 11 assists and Jennifer Lacy added 18 points for Atlanta (1-17), which became the first team without a win by the midpoint of the season when it lost to Connecticut on June 27 to fall to 0-14.
“Once the Dream learn how to play together, they will be good,” the Mercury’s Diana Taurasi said. “They are a tough team, and they just need to continue to play hard and not get frustrated. They have a lot of young talent.”
Keeping up with Jones
Asjha Jones has quietly developed into one of the Connecticut Sun’s key players.
The seventh-year forward was becoming a solid player off the bench for the Sun two years ago, and has flourished since becoming a starter last season.
After averaging 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds her first four seasons, Jones improved to 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 2006 – her last season as a reserve. She moved into the starting lineup last year after the Sun traded Taj McWilliams-Franklin before the season, and averaged career highs with 15.3 points and 6.1 boards.
With Katie Douglas’ trade to Indiana this off-season, Jones has taken advantage to fill the void and is on pace to set career marks again, with team highs of 16.4 points and 6.2 rebounds this year.
“She has great self-confidence right now in both her post game and her jump shot,” Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. “Her game has expanded this year.”
“I’m getting older now,” Jones said. “I’ve matured a lot from the past. I just want to be a good team player.”
Roberts receives nod
Good Morning America co-anchor and breast cancer patient Robin Roberts was announced as the 2008 WNBA Inspiration Award.
The award, which is aimed at recognizing an individual who inspires others through commitment and dedication to work, family and community, will be presented to Roberts at the league’s WNBA Inspiring Women Luncheon in San Francisco on July 30.