What happened: Sarah Ashlee Barker knocked down a 22-foot three-point jumper with 8:28 remaining in the second quarter, pushing the score to 25-17. Haley Jones picked up the assist on the catch-and-shoot look. The bucket capped a stretch of perimeter pressure that opened up clean looks beyond the arc.

Why it matters: Early second-quarter scoring runs often dictate WNBA pacing, and an eight-point cushion before halftime forces the trailing side to spend possessions chasing rather than running offense. Barker's range pulls help defenders out of the paint, opening interior driving lanes for the rest of the rotation. Jones generating the assist also reinforces her playmaking value off the bench.

What to watch: Watch whether the trailing side answers with a timeout or a defensive switch to slow Barker's perimeter looks. A sustained lead through the second quarter would tilt second-half rotations.