Michelle Taft
The Utah Starzz protected their home game Tuesday night, stripping the undefeated confidence from the Phoenix Mercury with a 76-61 victory.
Utah dominated the game , grabbing 20 of 28 offensive rebounds and hitting an accurate 22 of 30 free throws, including Margo Dydek, who was back on the scoreboard after a few sparse games giving 10 points of her own.
“They didn’t want to run with us and we beat them down the floor,” said LaTonya Johnson.
Dydek, who holds the record for WNBA rebounds, helped the Starzz defensive game, out-rebounding the Mercury 41-19.
Utah held WNBA leading scorer, Brandy Reed of the Mercury, to a season-low 13 points.
After an 11-point loss to New York, Utah’s new intensity made it someone else’s turn to lag behind.
The Starzz were revitalized and aggressive while maintaining the concentration to be precise. Johnson added 13 points, hitting five out of six field goals.
Coach Fred Williams, after analyzing the past two Utah games, focused the team on getting the ball in to Natalie Williams. It worked, as Williams came away from the game with 20 points. Williams found the ball all by herself with 15 rebounds.
Adrienne Goodson gave her typical double-digit game as well, with 15 points.
We played hard the whole time, and that is what made the difference,” saod Goodson.
The Starzz will go to Portland Thursday night with a 2-2 record and return to the Delta Center Saturday to defend their undefeated home court against the Houston Comets.
“I think the league already knows that we’re an improved team,” said Coach Fred Williams. “This team is just trying to take each and every game and try to prove itself as one of the best in the West and one of the best teams in the league.”
