Storm's Defense Shuts Down Comets; Bird Nets 22 Points

August 29, 2008 11:09 a.m. EST

Seattle, WA (AHN) - Sue Bird ignited for a game-high 22 points including 15 in the first half, helping the Seattle Storm get past the Houston Comets 66-49 Thursday night.

Bird, assigned to do the passing chores for the U.S. women's team in the recent Beijing Games, reawakened her scoring touch to lead the Storm to their third win in four games despite losing star Lauren Jackson to injury.

Before the Olympic break, Seattle registered a 3-2 mark in five games without Jackson and will have to mix it up through the regular season without the reigning WNBA MVP.

Jackson underwent a season-ending ankle surgery Thursday.

Both teams were still shaking off the cobwebs from the Olympic break, but it was the Storm's defense that won them the game.

Comets' top reserve Sancho Lyttle recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, but was unable to ignite the team's offense.

Roneeka Hodges also pumped in 10 points, while Olympian Tina Thompson finished with just eight points on a 2-for-10 shooting from the field for Houston, which drops to fifth-place in the Western Conference.

Seattle outscored Houston in the first two quarters to take a 38-24 lead at the halftime break.

In the third, Bird capped Seattle's 14-2 surge with a driving three-point play, while holding Houston scoreless for more than 7 minutes.

The Comets was unsuccessful in their last ditch effort in the final period, as Seattle coasted to its third victory and is just one-half-game behind Western Conference leader San Antonio.

Seattle will next play Connecticut on Sunday.