WNBA: Jessica Shepard aims to build on monster game as Wings host Storm

The Dallas Wings look to showcase their depth and build on a hot stretch as they host the Seattle Storm on Monday in Arlington, Texas.

The Wings (5-3) have won four of their past five games, including a 95-87 home victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. Jessica Shepard racked up 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking her second triple-double of the season. The performance also set her career high for rebounds and tied her career best for points.

"I came here to help this organization win and take that next step," said Shepard, a sixth-year pro who spent her first five seasons with the Minnesota Lynx. "So, I'm just proud of this team for being able to come back and beat a team like Las Vegas."

Dallas coach Jose Fernandez lauded Shepard for her play, noting that she has been a massive contributor to the Wings' successful stretch.

"She makes things easier because she's a big who can handle the basketball and get you into your sets — especially when she gets it off the glass," Fernandez said. "We kept telling our players, ‘When Jess gets it off the glass, let's get a great rim run. Let's fill the corners. Let's fill the slots.' Usually, you want your bigs to rim-run so defenses have to defend from inside to outside. But with her starting and initiating things, she's special."

Azzi Fudd also poured in 22 points in her first start for Dallas, while Paige Bueckers added 20 and Awak Kuier chipped in 12 off the bench as the Wings rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit. They dominated the second half despite star guard Arike Ogunbowale scoring just one point and sitting out the fourth quarter.

Conversely, the Storm (3-6) have dropped two straight games, most recently suffering a 93-72 setback on Saturday against the expansion team in Toronto. Natisha Hiedeman had 18 points and seven assists for Seattle, while Jordan Horston added 15 points. Center Dominique Malonga, the team's leading scorer this season, missed her sixth consecutive game while in concussion protocol.

The Storm were outscored by 20 points in the second half after trailing by just one at the break. Seattle was heavily outmatched at the charity stripe, getting outscored 31-7 at the free-throw line; the Storm's eight free-throw attempts marked a season low.

Furthermore, Seattle committed 18 turnovers, which translated into 23 points for Toronto.

"There are runs that we have to battle, especially when you're on the road," Seattle coach Sonia Raman said. "Generally speaking, we have to take better care of the ball. We had some really good looks, but we missed a few more shots at the rim than we normally would. Between that and the turnovers, it just made things really challenging for our defense."

Seattle has now lost three straight games on the road. Monday's clash is the first of four matchups between the teams this season and marks the start of Commissioner's Cup play. The tournament runs from June 1–17, with the championship game slated for June 30. -Field Level Media/Reuters