The Las Vegas Aces climb to 2-0 against the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals. The Aces won game two 91-78 at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Sunday, Oct. 5. The teams will meet for game three of the seven-game series in Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Quarter 1:
The Aces had a slow start. In the first four possessions Las Vegas had, they had two missed shots and two turnovers. The Mercury sank a three to get on the board, along with two shots in the paint for a 7-0 lead. Chelsea Gray made the first basket for Las Vegas, and Jackie Young followed with a three-pointer. The Aces trailed until the last four minutes of the quarter, where they tied it up at 16 apiece. Scoring was back and forth throughout the rest of the quarter. The Aces had a short-lived lead, but ended up just three points behind the Mercury to end the quarter 27-24.
QUARTER 2:
It took the Aces 2:28 minutes to score in the second quarter. The women were missing behind the arc and turning over the ball until Jewel Loyd connected on a three-pointer. Roles switched, and the Aces secured a lead at 34-33. Phoenix was taking three-point shots that weren’t connecting like they were in the first quarter, leading to a three-minute scoring drought. With a five-point lead, the Aces continued to build on their offensive success. A’ja Wilson made two consecutive shots in the paint, and Young connected on two free throws to end the first half with a 46-37 lead. Las Vegas held the Mercury to only 10 points in the second quarter.
QUARTER 3:
Kierstan Bell made her first bucket of the night to start the third quarter. Young followed with a three-pointer, giving the team their biggest lead of the game, 12 points. Young took control of the Aces’ offense, producing 12 of the 18 points in just six minutes. It became a foul-heavy game for both teams. The Aces collected four free throw points while Phoenix made six. Las Vegas was still able to hold the lead, making 30 points in 10 minutes, compared to the Mercury’s 24 points. The Aces took a 76-41 lead heading into the final quarter.
QUARTER 4:
Las Vegas climbed to a 22-point lead when Loyd sank a three and Wilson made two in the point to start the final quarter. The Mercury didn’t put points on the board until almost two minutes in. Dana Evans and Young made a layup each, but the Aces lost their mojo once five minutes hit. Las Vegas went on a four-minute scoring drought. NaLyssa Smith broke the drought with one made free throw. The Aces held the lead and won the game 91-78.
The Aces had a 49.3% shooting average in the paint. Young led the game with 32 points. Wilson was right behind with a double-double of 28 points and 14 rebounds. Gray also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. Las Vegas held the Mercury to under 20 points in both the second and fourth quarters.
Game three of the WNBA Finals will take place at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, AZ, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 5pm PT.
