20080712/HOUMIN
Augustus Scores 27 as Lynx Top Comets

Minnesota 85, Houston 71 (F)

MINNEAPOLIS, July 12 (AP) -- Seimone Augustus scored 27 points and Anna DeForge added 17 as the Minnesota Lynx beat the Houston Comets 85-71 on Saturday night.

DeForge was 5-for-10 from 3-point range for the Lynx (10-10), who shot 10-for-20 from beyond the arc. Nicky Anosike had her second career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which had lost two in a row and four of five. Candice Wiggins added 10 points in a reserve role.

"I know the last time that I was aggressive was the L.A. game,'' Augustus said of the team's previous victory July 3. "The difference in that game and the one in Seattle was that I wasn't aggressive. I think my teammates feed off me being aggressive, and I am going to try and do it more often, on a consistent basis.''

Tina Thompson scored 12 for the Comets (9-12), who have lost three in a row.

Augustus keyed a 14-4 first-quarter run, allowing the Lynx to take a lead they didn't relinquish. With Houston holding a 12-8 advantage, Augustus scored eight points and made a jumper with 2.4 seconds left to give Minnesota a 22-16 lead after the first.

"If the first couple go, you just want to keep looking at the rim, keep being aggressive,'' DeForge said. "I think offensively we just stayed disciplined. We executed what we were supposed to, and we shared the ball really well.''

Houston committed 22 turnovers in an overtime loss at Los Angeles on Wednesday, and ball control was a problem again in the first quarter Saturday. The Comets committed six first-period turnovers, aiding Minnesota's run.

Houston committed 17 turnovers overall, which led to 23 Lynx points.

"We didn't come out with enough energy,'' Comets coach Karleen Thompson said. "They were the aggressors. That is what we want to be. Once that ball gets sliding downhill it's hard to stop.''

Thompson, who will join Augustus on the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing, scored eight in the second, but Minnesota was able to extend the advantage to 47-39 heading into halftime.

The Comets' 6-foot-5 center Michelle Snow dominated the paint with six points and four rebounds early in the first, but foul trouble kept her on the bench for much of the second. She finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.

The teams entered the game heading in different directions. Houston had won eight of 12 after a 1-7 start. The Lynx started the season 6-1, including an overtime victory against Houston, but had dropped three of 12.

"When players and teams make shots, I think it gives them energy on the other end of the floor as well,'' Minnesota coach Don Zierden said. "I do think Seimone was aggressive right from the start, and that is what the best player on your team and the leader on your team needs to do.''

The Comets are 25-9 against Minnesota after dropping two of the three contests this season.

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