Charlotte-Minnesota post game notes and quotes

July 8, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release


MINNESOTA LYNX VS. CHARLOTTE STING

POSTGAME NOTES - JULY 7, 2005

Score Record High Points High Rebounds High Assists

CHA 66 3-12 Feaster -19 Smith-9 Staley-6

MIN 58 8-8 Hayden-13 Hayden-10 Harrower-4

- Allison Feaster finished with a season-high 19 points, including five three-pointers, to lead the Sting. In the last two games, Feaster is averaging 18.0 points on 62.5% shooting (10-16) from three-point range. Feaster's five three-pointers made ties her season-high and also ties a 2005 WNBA season-high.

- The Lynx committed 20 turnovers leading to 29 Sting points. The Sting meanwhile committed 13 turnovers leading to only nine Lynx points.

- The Sting made 15 of 20 free throws compared to five of six from the foul line by the Lynx.

- The Sting opened the game shooting 57.9%, making 11 of their first 19 shots. The Sting went on a 11-2 run at the 9:21 mark in the first half to build an 11-point lead.

- In the second half, the Sting extended their lead to 16, the biggest lead the Sting have had in a game this season.

- Katie Smith (10 points) and Vanessa Hayden (nine points) combined for 19 points in the first half. In the second half, the Sting held the pair to just six points (Katie Smith - two points, Vanessa Hayden -four points).

- Vanessa Hayden finished with a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds), the first of her career. In the two games against the Sting this season, Hayden has 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds.

- The Sting held the Lynx to just 58 points. It was lowest point total the Sting have allowed an opponent this season.

- Charlotte recorded a season-high 14 steals. Their previous season-high was 12 posted on May 28 vs. Los Angeles and June 10 at Detroit.

- Tangela Smith recorded her recent strong play with 15 points and seven rebounds. Nine of Smith's 15 points came in the second half. In the last five games, Smith is averaging 16.8 points.

- Sheri Sam recorded the 2,500th point of her WNBA career on jump shot at the 17:54 mark in the first half. She became the 21st player in WNBA history to reach that mark.

- Katie Smith finished with 12 points and is now 11 points shy of the 5,000 point mark.

Charlotte vs. Minnesota

July 7, 2005

Post-game Quotes

Charlotte 66, Minnesota 58

Sting center Tammy Sutton-Brown (13 points, 6 rebounds)

(on the inside play)

"We just did a good job coming out of the starting blocks, defensively, offensively, on the boards, rebounding. Tangela and I have just been working together and looking for each other, and that worked out well tonight."

(on the goals for the game)

"Going in to every game, defense is a goal for us. We have to establish ourselves on the defensive end. We had a number of steals today, and we were just being aggressive. We can see what we need to do, and when we do it, good things happen."

(on building on the win)

"We have the All-Star break coming up, and we have to take this into our next game out in Los Angeles. We have to run with it, and take all the good things away from this game. We have to be in the passing lanes on the defensive end, be patient on the offensive end and find the open person.

Sting guard Allison Feaster (19 points, 5 rebounds)

(on the defense on Katie Smith)

"I can't take credit for that. She is an awesome offensive player; she reads the three so well. My teammates did a great job helping me out, switching out on her. I really can't take credit for holding her down; it was a team effort."

(on the fast start to the game)

"I think it was great for us. Any time we can get ahead on anyone and not have to fight from behind, we can use that extra energy. That's a big plus. Luckily tonight when they made a run in the second half, we were able to respond, get some people some rest and bring them off the bench. We had more energy in the game."

(on building on the win)

"I think we need to just keep working hard on defense. I know the offense will be there. It's just a matter of time before shots were going to fall. I don't believe it's too late for us. We just have to keep fighting and see what happens."

Charlotte vs. Minnesota

July 7, 2005

Post-game Quotes

Charlotte 66, Minnesota 58

Sting Head Coach Trudi Lacey

(on tonight's performance)

"We had great team effort and great ball movement. The difference in tonight was that we made some shots that we had missed earlier. We did a tremendous defensive job on a very talented Minnesota team. We have steadily improved though it may not be as visual as you would like and we just have to build on this."

(on our offensive abilities)

"It takes time and we still had some turnovers, but we have been working on it. Our top three subs off the bench are new...we have had to work through a lot and I am proud of the team."

(on guard Allison Feaster)

"She shot the ball well offensively, but she really did a heck of a job on Katie Smith. She guarded one of the most prolific scorers in WNBA history and she does that night in and night out. She is just a tremendous leader for us."

(on the new players)

"We have struggled this season offensively and Caity Matter is a tremendous three point shooter. She gives us another offensive threat and allows us to stretch our defensive. Ayana Walker is a great rebounder, a player that has some experience and we need that. Our players have been very receptive (to the new players); they will be a nice fit."

Charlotte vs. Minnesota

July 7, 2005

Post-game Quotes

Charlotte 66, Minnesota 58

Minnesota Guard Katie Smith (12 points)

(On tonight's game)

"I think in the first half they played great. They were able to find open shooters like Feaster. We also had trouble reading defense and rotating the ball. Charlotte was active and more aggressive than us throughout the game. They really played well, but overall we are disappointed in this loss."

(On fatigue)

"Fatigue wasn't a factor. We were able to have a pretty long break before this game. Charlotte did great tonight. We had some turnovers in the second and at times it was hard to even get a shot off."

Minnesota Center Vanessa Hayden (13 points, 10 rebounds)

(On Charlotte's inside success)

"Tammy Sutton-Brown is a great post player. She did a great job tonight. Tangela (Smith) has long arms and is always active in the post. Together they were very effective. You have to hand it to them."

(On fatigue)

"It shouldn't be. We made a number of mistakes. As a team, we didn't play with any chemistry and that is something we need to correct."

Minnesota Head Coach Suzie McConnell Serio

(Keys to the game)

"They scored 29 points off of turnovers. That was the difference. We didn't execute our game plan defensively to be successful. We did make a run in the second half, but unfortunately it wasn't enough."

(On translating home success to road success)

"I will be watching a lot of game film during the All-Star break. Offensively it was very ugly for us tonight."



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 8, 2005


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