Sept. 14, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Former Penn State Lady Lion standout Tanisha Wright and the Seattle Storm begin their WNBA Championship defense with a first-round series against the Phoenix Mercury Thursday night in Seattle. Game 1 of the best-of-three series will be televised on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. Game two will be Saturday, Sept. 17 in Phoenix at 10 p.m. on NBA TV and game three, if necessary, will be back in Seattle on Monday, Sept. 19 at 10 p.m. on ESPN2. The winner of this series will go on to face the winner of the Minnesota-San Antonio series.
The second-seeded Storm finished the regular season with a 21-13 record, which was tied for second in the WNBA. The Storm earned the franchise's second WNBA title a year ago with a series win over Atlanta.
Wright is one of four Storm players to average double figures with a 10.1 scoring mark, which is the highest scoring output of her career. She ranks 15th in the WNBA in field goal percentage (.492) and fourth in free throw percentage (.897). Additionally, the three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is 18th in the WNBA in assists with a 2.94 per game average. The two-time WNBA All-Defensive team pick also chips in 1.2 steals per game, which is 21st in the league.
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 1: Phoenix at Seattle, Thurs., Sept. 15, 10 p.m., ESPN2
Game 2: Seattle at Phoenix, Sat., Sept. 17, 10 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3: Phoenix at Seattle, Mon., Sept. 19, 10 p.m., ESPN2 (if necessary)
Lady Lion Basketball season tickets are available by calling 814-867-2557. Season tickets are $117 for adults, $52 for youth and $91 for seniors. The PNC Flex Books are available again this year for $99. The Flex Book gives fans 10 vouchers that can be redeemed for Nittany Lion and Lady Lion Basketball tickets in any combination.
The Lady Lions are on Twitter. Follow sports information contact Kris Petersen (@ladylionsid) and the Lady Lions and coaches (@pennstatewbb) to get the inside scoop. The Lady Lions are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstateladylions.