Photo credit: Mike Carlson/AP Photo

By Shawn McCullough

Head coach Bill Laimbeer said that playing the Seattle Storm would be a good measuring stick for his team.  Well, Laimbeer learned a lot of good things about his team.

Las Vegas beat the first place Storm, 82-74 at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

Forward A’ja Wilson has a double-double dropping 23 points and pulling down 14 rebounds, while Angel McCoughtry also had a double-double in the game.

The Aces defense thrived holding the Storm to just 37.3% from the field and 26.9% from 3-point range.

Guard Danielle Robinson came off the bench and scored 16 points.

The lead went back and forth in the first quarter, but the Aces went on an 11-2 run to start the second quarter and never relinquished the lead after that.

With the win, Las Vegas improved to 10-3 on the season and moved to within ½ game of the first place Storm.

The Aces will next play the 5-8 Dallas Wings on Tuesday before playing the 11-3 Storm again on Thursday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Aces out-rebounded the Storm, 44-34.
• A’ja Wilson, Angel McCoughtry and Danielle Robinson combined for 52 of the Aces 82 points.
• Wilson and McCoughtry combined for 28 rebounds.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride