Lynx Close Season With Win Over Silver Stars

Minnesota 81, San Antonio 55

MINNEAPOLIS, August 19 (AP) -- Kristen Mann scored 19 points to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 81-55 for a season-ending victory Sunday.

Shanna Crossley had 20 points for San Antonio (20-14), which had already clinched the second spot in the Western Conference playoffs and will open the postseason Thursday at Sacramento.

Minnesota, which won its final two games, finished a league-worst 10-24, and has a good chance to land the top pick in the WNBA draft for the second time in the last three years.

Noelle Quinn had 14 assists for the Lynx to set a new franchise single-game record and grab the team's season mark as well with 148.

Trailing by three at the half, Minnesota went on a 30-10 third-quarter run, opening up a double-digit lead against a San Antonio lineup of reserves. All five of the Silver Stars' regular starters spent the game on the bench or in street clothes, while three Silver Stars got their first starts of the season.

The Silver Stars emerged from a run-and-gun opening quarter leading 22-20. The pace slowed considerably in the second quarter, as the teams combined for just 17 points. San Antonio led 31-28 at the break thanks to 11 points from Crossley.

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