Aces, Storm Win in WNBA Semis -- Same ol' Asia, brand new locale -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 VEGAS EVENS SERIES AT 1-1

Getting a 29-point effort from A'ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces evened up their semifinal, best-of-five series with the Connecticut Sun  last night with a 83-75 win. 

This contest was a back and forth affair for three quarters. The Aces used a dominating fourth quarter to get the win, outscoring the Sun 24-12 in the final period, to take the lead late -- after trailing 39-38 at the half and 63-59 after three quarters. 

Louisville's Angel McCoughtry contributed 11 points in 29 minutes -- adding three rebounds and three assists in a game that was called more closely by the referees after McCoughtry indicated, after Las Vegas's opening series loss, that it was more like a football game than hoops and that the Aces would come out and employ the same style if that's how the officials were going to call it. 

Las Vegas did not hit a three in the contest, going 0-4 from beyond the arc last night, but the Aces have thrived all season on pounding the paint and scoring inside. Wilson went 13-19 from the floor and took the fight to the Sun, who lost starter Alyssa Thomas five minutes into the contest with a shoulder injury.

McCoughtry hit all five of her free throw attempts for Las Vegas. 

The two teams will play game three Thursday night. 

                                             

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In the nightcap, Seattle held on against Minnesota to get a 88-86 win to take a 1-0 lead in the other WNBA semifinal. It was Alyshia Clark hitting a buzzer-beater layup for the Storm to get the win. The Storm cleared COVID testing after the originally schedule opener between the two was postponed because of inconclusive testing for several Storm players.

Minnesota was with out "Big Syl" -- Sylvia Fowles -- who sat out due to a calf injury. Without Fowles on the court, Seattle had a 36-29 rebounding edge. 

SHE'S BACK

Cardinal Couple favorite and former UofL women's basketball great Asia Taylor is back on the hardwood. but she's not in Australia or in the WNBA wubble -- It's a new venue for A-Tayy. She's part of the Clarinos (Spain) roster in the EuroBasketball league. 

Clarinos had their first game of the schedule against Gran Canaria (on the Canary Islands) Monday night, and Taylor logged 22 minutes while scoring 14 points and grabbing seven rebounds in an overtime win -- 103-102. 

We wish Asia a ton of luck and big numbers in this new environment for her! 

paulie                                                                                                                                          xxxxx.