Storm rebound, Mystics win fifth straight

Today's game results:

The Storm got their first road win to keep the Stars winless, 85-76.

The Mystics just wrapped up the Wings, 101-89. It's the fifth consecutive win for Washington.

Sky at Sparks tipping off now......

WNBA player news:

Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins-Smith reflect on their WNBA journey.

How Matee Ajavon is bridging a gap in pro basketball.

Faith, determination paid off for Wings' Kayla Thornton.

Maya Moore talks about returning to the Finals and her passion for ending child hunger.

Former Pitt star Brianna Kiesel has become a Dream for Atlanta.

Former WNBA player news:

Former WNBA players are getting front office positions.

Stats:

ESPN has a new WNBA basketball power index.

College player news:

Delaware's Sade' Chatman requested a transfer in February....and she was suspended indefinitely.

Kansas State guard Anna Hammaker will transfer.

College coach news:

George Washington coach Jen Rizzotti has had her husband as her assistant coach for 17 years. Now he's resigning.

Jermaine Woods is a new assistant coach at Wake Forest.

North Carolina Central's new assistant coach is Tynesha Lewis.

Sybil Dosty is Nevada's new assistant coach.

Looking ahead to the week

WNBA mock win Monday:

I preview the most-anticipated WNBA games of the week for Excelle Sports.

Tomorrow's game schedule:

Mystics at Wings

Storm at Stars

Sky at Sparks

WNBA team news:

A team meeting helped the Liberty get back on track.

WNBA player news:

Tina Charles and Diana Taurasi are the Eastern and Western Conference players of the week.

Could Glory Johnson top Tamika Catching's all-time rebounding record?

How can Sylvia Fowles dominate a game without scoring a point?

The key to Allisha Gray's early WNBA success? She's just being herself.

Kelsey Plum's adjustment to the WNBA has been tough early on.

Rebekkah Brunson is climbing the Lynx scoring leader board.

Dallas rookie Saniya Chong continues to prove doubters wrong.

Diana Taurasi wants to keep playing for Team USA, with Sue Bird.

Former WNBA player news:

Q&A with former Liberty star Sue Wicks.

WNBA president news:

League president Lisa Borders says overcoming racial discrimination drove her to attend Duke.

College team news:

Duke has a top 10 recruiting class again.

Arizona has landed a five-star recruit, the highest-ranked the program has ever seen.

College player news:

Western Kentucky's Kyvin Goodin-Rogers is retiring from basketball due to knee complications.

Te'a Cooper, who left Tennessee last month, will transfer to South Carolina.

Buffalo transfer Gabi Bade has landed at Sacramento State.

College coach news:

There's a lot of interest in Dawn Staley's open assistant coach position.

Just because he's a high-profile coach doesn't mean Louisville Jeff Walz can't embarrass his kids like everyone else.

Bill Ferrara is New Mexico's new assistant coach.

New gears, and another escape

Today's results:

Kiah Stokes put up a career-high 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Liberty past the Mercury, 88-72. Shavonte Zellous added 21 for New York.

The Mystics downed the Dream, 78-72. Elena Delle Donne had 23 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for Washington.

The Liberty seem to have found ways to cope without Brittany Boyd.

The Mystics escape yet again.

WNBA team news:

The Storm's blowout loss to Minnesota shows they have a long way to go.

WNBA player news:

Maya Moore's shooting has hit a career low, but she's still making an impact.

Q&A with Lindsay Whalen.

Former WNBA player news:

Alison Bales is embarking on a second career, as a doctor.

College team news:

Nebraska is moving forward after Jessica Shepard's decision to transfer.

Q&A with a former Ohio State practice player.

College player news:

Boston College hockey player Andie Anastos will complete her final year of eligibility with the basketball team.

Former Irishwoman Erin Boley is ready to start over at Oregon.

USA Basketball news:

With their team selections complete, the U16 team is eyeing the FIBA Americas title.

You never know how games will go

Today's results:

The Fever held off the Wings, 91-85.

The Sun topped the Stars, 85-77, behind Courtney Williams' career-high 23 points. Kelsey Plum made her first career start for San Antonio.

The Lynx are currently blowing out the Storm in the third quarter, which is unexpected.

Tomorrow's game schedule:

The Mystics will try to shoot straight at home against the Dream.

The Mercury will face the Liberty.

WNBA player news:

Ivory Latta has a children's book and a message: "you can be whatever you want to be."

Kiah Stokes has proven she's ready to patrol the paint.

Tina Charles discusses leadership after her career-high night Friday.

WNBA coach news:

The knowledge and calming presence of Sun assistant coach Steve Smith is invaluable for the team.

College player news:

Former Texas A&M guard Rakell Spencer has transferred to LSU.

College coach news:

Nikki McCray-Penson seems ideally suited to reverse ODU's decline.

Olympic news:

The IOC looks to add 3X3 basketball to the schedule for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Hot helping of news

Today's result:

The Liberty edged the Wings, 93-89, in a hell of a game. Tina Charles powered New York with a career-high 36 points, and Shavonte Zellous added 27. Five Dallas players scored in double figures.

Tomorrow's game schedule:

The Storm look to hand the Lynx their first loss.

The Sun and Stars both look to end their losing ways.

The Wings visit the Fever, who are trying to rebound.

WNBA news:

The WNBA will celebrate Pride throughout this month.

WNBA team news:

WNBA player's overseas obligations cramp their teams.

In the Sky's early-season struggles, a glimmer of hope.

The Wings are trying to woo Liz Cambage to return.

The Lynx are off to another great start on the year.

WNBA player news:

Foreign play seasons some athletes and wears on others.

Sylvla Fowles' renaissance has the Lynx off to a hot start.

Imani Boyette is her NBA-playing brother's biggest fan, and she wants a 1-on-1 rematch.

Maggie Lucas is pouring her drive to succeed into knee rehab.

The new-look Mystics have Natasha Cloud embracing her new role.

Courtney Vandersloot won't slow down.

Duke grad Jasmine Thomas looks to use her long WNBA journey to end the Sun's playoff drought.

Chelsea Gray's leap is key for the Sparks.

Mercury rookie Sophie Brunner is making the most of her shot in the league.

Sylvia Fowles and Tiffany Hayes are the Western and Eastern Conference players of the month for May.

Former WNBA player news:

Becky Hammon is reportedly drawing interest for a GM position with the Bucks.

WNBA coach news:

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve is the league's coach of the month for May.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin talks opportunities for retired WNBA players.

College player news:

Baylor's Kristy Wallace has been selected to represent Australia in international competition this summer.

College coach news:

ODU coach Nikki McCray-Penson has announced her coaching staff.

Kia Damon wants to bring a Penn State-style turnaround to Lafayette.

Murriel Page is a new assistant coach at Central Michigan.

Carli Tritz has been promoted to assistant coach at Creighton.

Cleve Wright has joined Eastern Illinois as an assistant coach.

High school news:

The McDonald's All-American games are leaving Chicago after seven years.

Record-breaking night for Taurasi

Today's result:

The Mercury held off the Sky, who went scoreless in the final stretch, 99-91.

Diana Taurasi became the league's all-time leading three-point scorer in the process, passing Katie Smith's record.

WNBA team news:

The Lynx will face their toughest test yet Saturday in Seattle.

The Stars' biggest fan is celebrating the team's 15th anniversary.

WNBA player news:

Veteran Alex Montgomery is doing little things in a big way, both on and off the court.

Rookies Allisha Gray and Kaela Davis have made an immediate impact for Dallas.

Allisha Gray is the league's rookie of the month for May.

What Lynx rookie Temi Fagbenle lacks in experience, she makes up for in brains.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis tore cartilage in her right knee last week and had the knee scoped.

Former WNBA player news:

Tamika Catchings' latest honor? She's been named a "Living Legend."

College player news:

Former Nebraska forward Jessica Shepard is transferring to Notre Dame.

Former Stanford guard Lili Thompson is also headed to the Irish.

Former Iowa State player Nikki Moody and attorneys will split a $60,000 settlement in her lawsuit against the school.

Former Pacific guard Callie Owens has landed at North Texas.

College coach news:

Jasmine Lister is DePaul's new assistant coach.

Seyram Bell has been promoted to associate head coach at UC Riverside.

Evan Dodd has been promoted to assistant coach at Indiana State.

Akron has named Brianna Sanders as assistant coach.

Kat Martin is UMKC's new assistant coach.

Two rallying wins and plenty of story lines

Today's results:

The Dream came back to beat the Stars, 77-70.

The Mystics rallied to nip the Sun, 78-76.

WNBA team news:

The Sparks are still a work in progress after a tough road trip.

The Liberty look to improve after dropping two straight games.

The Mercury are regaining their elite defensive form.

The Seattle City Council has approved a 10-year lease extension for the Storm at KeyArena.

WNBA player news:

Karima Christmas-Kelly is proving to be the gas that runs Dallas' car.

The Liberty have brought back Lindsey Allen.

The league's MVP list has Sylvia Fowles at the top and Tiffany Hayes jumping in at No. 6.

Despite the low pay, the WNBA is still attractive to international players.

Candace Parker hasn't thought about whether she'll try out for the 2020 Olympics.

Liz Cambage's visit felt like the Wings were hosting a five-star recruit.

College player news:

Texas A&M transfer Walnatia Wright has landed at Georgia State.

Ashley Kelsick and Gabby Gregory will transfer from Wisconsin.

College coach news:

Nikki McCray hopes to bring the glory days back to ODU. McCray video.

Kia Damon is Lafayette's new head coach.

Pauline Love is the final assistant coach to be hired at Arkansas.

Talia Caldwell and Eliza Pierre will be interim assistant coaches at Cal while head coach Lindsay Gottlieb is on maternity leave.

Jessica Jackson is a new assistant coach at Samford.

Ryan McAdams is a new assistant coach at New Mexico State.

USA Basketball:

The U16 team has been named.

Sparks, Wings grab rejuvenation wins

Today's results:

Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike led the Sparks over the Liberty, 90-75.

Karima Christmas-Kelly paced the Wings past the Fever, 89-62, with 27 points.

WNBA team news:

The Liberty will lose Epiphanny Prince for a few weeks to Eurobasket play.

The league's own power rankings sees Minnesota at the top now.

Minnesota is also atop the AP power poll.

WNBA player news:

Elena Delle Donne says she ready to move on from the trade last winter.

Q&A with Stars rookie Nia Coffey.

Storm rookie Sami Whitcomb is living the dream.

Sylvia Fowles and Epiphanny Prince are the Western and Eastern Conference players of the week.

Tomorrow's game schedule:

Elena Delle Donne looks to lead the Mystics over the Sun at home.

Maryland trails only UConn in sending players to the WNBA. This will be evident in the Washington-Connecticut match up.

Stars visit the Dream.

Both games are matinees.

College player news:

Former Notre Dame forward Erin Boley has transferred to Oregon.

St. John's transfer Crystal Simmons will play at Morehead State.

College coach news:

Oregon State coach Scott Rueck earned more than $100,000 in bonuses from this past season.

Marsha Frese has joined Boston College as an assistant coach.

Raina Harmon is a new assistant coach at Iowa.

Memorial Day odds and ends

WNBA team news:

The Lynx made history by going undefeated this month.

WNBA player news:

Elizabeth Cambage is reportedly in Dallas to discuss returning to the WNBA.

Jonquel Jones is beginning to show unlimited potential. Video.

After several stints overseas the last seven years, Yvonne Turner is happy to make the Mercury's roster.

WNBA coach news:

New Lynx assistant coach James Wade admires player's attention to detail.

Tomorrow's game schedule:

The Sparks hope to avoid another road bump in New York.

The Fever and Wings are set to rebound from lopsided defeats.

College player news:

The Gamecocks have added Penn State transfer Lindsey Spann.

Aaliyah Wilson will transfer from Arkansas to Texas A&M.

USA Basketball news:

USA Basketball's U16 team is down to 18 finalists.

Women's basketball fans should stay strong to help build back up

Progress is not linear; it is made in starts and stops, with a few steps forward and a few steps backwards.

Such is the case with women in sports right now - heck, women in general. As we see reflected back from arts and culture, the acceptance of women in sport is in decline now, following a long surge upward after the passage of Title IX in 1972.

Though the WNBA has recently seen some of its highest viewership ratings ever, a general perception exists that there is less buzz around the league than there used to be. To be sure, much of that is simply due to the "settling" effect: when the WNBA came along in 1997, it was new, and it generated a lot of press because of that. Now it has been around for two decades, and fans are used to it.

But as art reflects life, it seems that women have faded into the background in TV, movies and music, too.

In the 1970's, there were 'independent woman'-themed shows like "Laverne and Shirley" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." All-female cast or female-lead shows of the 1980's included "The Golden Girls," "Cagney and Lacey," "Roseanne" and "Murder, she Wrote." In the 1990's, there was "Designing Women," "Murphy Brown," "Ally McBeal," "Xena," "Sex in the City" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," to name a few.

Fast forward to the 2016-2017 TV season and four of the top 10-most watched shows were football, reflecting a relatively new American obsession with this war-like sport. The first woman-themed show is "American Housewife," at No. 31. "Mom" is at 44, "New Girl" is at No. 74 and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" is 75.

In film we saw a series of female hero star characters up until the turn of the century, including Princess Leia in "Star Wars," Linda Hamilton in "The Terminator," Sigourney Weaver in "Alien," and Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis in "Thelma and Louise." Arguably the biggest all-female cast movie was 1996's "Set it Off," which starred Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett, Vivica Fox and Kimberly Elise.

In contrast, last year the movie "Ghostbusters" was remade with an all-female cast, and it was widely panned before it was even released just because it featured women. This week "Wonder Woman" is to be released; we can only pray to be spared misogynistic comments.

Music is another arena that used to be flooded with strong women, including MC Lyte, TLC, Latifah, Madonna, Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette, Brandy, Jewel, Toni Braxton and Whitney Houston. Today the field is much smaller; only Beyonce and Adele are among those who could be considered stable, presenting strong images without spawning controversy or degrading women.

Thus, so goes sports. In 1998, Chamique Holdsclaw became the first woman to grace the cover of SLAM. Almost 19 years later, she's still the only female to be shown there. SLAM barely includes women between its covers anymore. Ditto with Sports Illustrated.

When Sheryl Swoopes got an Air Swoopes shoe 20 years ago, the news made headlines. When Maya Moore got a shoe in 2014, that news did not.

Why has the presence of women diminished recently? Who knows what combination of intangible factors combined to make this a reality. It is not possible to say for sure.

The important thing for fans of women's basketball is to continue to advocate for the sport, at all levels. To be a loud, unabashed fan of women's hoops, those who play it, and for strong women in general, is the most effective approach. Paying undue attention to the small minority of people who go out of their way to criticize the sport and its athletes is counterproductive; it's like throwing gas on a flame, when turning one's back on stuff-starters is so much more effective.

Things go in cycles. We've got to stay strong and push on.