What happened: Julie Vanloo connected on a 24-foot three-point jumper off an assist from Marine Johannes, trimming the deficit to 27-29 with 5:17 remaining in the second quarter. The bucket marked a momentum shift after a sluggish offensive stretch. Vanloo and Johannes have linked up multiple times in the half-court set.

Why it matters: Long-range shooting from the backcourt tandem is critical to keeping pace in a tight regular-season matchup. Closing a small deficit before halftime is a key swing factor in WNBA scoring trends, where second-quarter runs often dictate the pace of play. Vanloo's outside shot stretches the floor and opens driving lanes for teammates.

What to watch: Watch whether Vanloo continues to hunt deep looks as the quarter progresses and if Johannes keeps feeding her in transition. The score margin entering halftime will set the tone for the second-half adjustments.