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Seattle • Lexi Eaton Rydalch, the greatest scorer in West Coast Conference basketball history — male or female — made her pro debut Wednesday and (blush) fired an air ball on her first field-goal attempt.

As she did so many times at BYU, Rydalch recovered from her brief brush with adversity and performed well in the Seattle Storm's opening exhibition game, an 81-73 loss to WNBA rival Phoenix.

"It was a blast. It was so fun," Rydalch said afterwards in the Storm locker room at KeyArena. "I mean, that's what I love, playing against the best competition, so it's just to just get a taste of it."

Rydalch entered the game midway through the second quarter, sat out the third quarter, then played the entire fourth quarter. In 14 minutes, the 5-foot-10 wing recorded eight points, two steals, one rebound and two turnovers.

Rydalch sank only 1 of 5 field-tries (0 for 2 on 3-pointers, including the air ball), but she drove to the basket aggressively and sank 6 of a game-high 10 free throws.

"The fact that she kept shooting and stayed aggressive, that's more important than the first shot being an air ball," veteran Storm point guard Sue Bird said.

Rydalch said she "definitely had some nerves. I mean, it's my first WNBA game."

After eight practices and one exhibition, Bird said Rydalch has been "doing a great job" and shooting the ball "really well."

Seattle drafted Rydalch, the former Springville High School star, in the third and final round of last month's WNBA draft.

"She's a good fit for what we want to do here," Seattle coach Jenny Boucek said.

The Storm has six guards on the roster, and Boucek said she expects to keep "five or six" after already cutting two. Seattle plays a second exhibition Sunday in Phoenix, then opens the regular season May 15 at Los Angeles.

Seattle wing Jewell Lloyd, last season's WNBA Rookie of the Year, led all scorers with 16 points. Forward Penny Taylor and guard Courtney Williams led Phoenix with 15 points.

Three-time NCAA Player of the Year Breanna Stewart, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft this year, scored 13 points for Seattle. The former Connecticut forward hit just 4 of 13 from the field, but she tied for game honors with eight rebounds and added two steals and one blocked shot in 29 minutes.

"She's a very good player," Rydalch said. "Extremely versatile. God has blessed her with a great, athletic body. Long arms that block a lot of shots."

— Howie Stalwick