Lynx 92 (12-4) - Storm 67 (9-8)
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Lynx Writer
Box ScoreHow it Happened
From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Minnesota Lynx were in control of the game. Minnesota took a 15-14 lead with 2:43 left in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead en route to a 92-67 domination of the Storm at Target Center.
The Lynx shot a remarkable 56.3 percent from the field. With the victory, Minnesota has now won seven of their last eight games improving their record to 12-4, best in the Western Conference. The Lynx used defense and superior rebounding to slow the Storm’s lethal offensive attack. The Lynx had four more rebounds (28-24) than the Storm and shot over 10 percent (56.3%-41.5%) better than the Storm from the field.
On the offensive end, the squad was just as effective. Led by Seimone Augustus’ 8-of-10 shooting from the field, and 16 points, the Lynx were able to free up other scorers as the Storm’s defense focused on Augustus. One of those scorers was Lynx back-up point guard Candice Wiggins. The Stanford graduate came off the bench and hit five three-pointers and scored 16 points, just two points shy of her season-high. The Lynx bench has been a key for the Lynx success and the starters have taken note.
“We have a starting five that’s coming off the bench. Most of these players can go to other teams and start, easily. It’s great to know that we have veteran players that can contribute and keep the game at high tempo and high pace that we like it,” Augustus said of her teammates coming off the bench who combined to score 37 points tonight.
Whether it was the balanced scoring or the key hustle plays, it was quite clear that the Lynx are envious of what the Storm accomplished last season with a WNBA championship. It’s apparent that this group of women will do whatever it takes to bring a championship home to Minnesota.
Leader of the Pack
Candice Wiggins has been a spark plug of energy of the bench for the Lynx. However Candice was more than just a spark-she was a full-blown wildfire on Friday night. Wiggins scored 16 points with 15 of those points coming from her five three-pointers. She also dished out five assists and snagged two rebounds. The combination of Whalen and Wiggins at the point guard position has proved to be one of the better one-two point guard combos in the WNBA.
Notable Performance
“Seimone is In-The-Zone!” has been a common phrase chanted by fans in the Target Center this season. The veteran guard has given Lynx fans plenty to cheer about this season, and Friday’s night game was no exception. The All-Star finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Numbers Game
27- Minnesota led by as many as 27 points in the second half of Friday’s game. The Lynx have now had nine games where they have been ahead by 20-plus points. This proves that the Lynx are able to put their opponents away; a key component of any championship-caliber team.
A Quotable Who’s Who at Target Center
"They’re looking good. I think everybody is healthy this year for a change. They are playing great ball. Maya Moore is creating a lot of energy and it looks like they are feeding off that.” Minnesota Vikings Pro-Bowl Defensive Tackle Kevin Williams on catching his first Lynx game of the season. Williams sat courtside on Friday night. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, a Lynx season-ticket holder was also in attendance.
Looking Ahead
The Lynx will travel to take on the San Antonio Silver Stars on Sunday. The Lynx have not yet faced the Silver Stars who are currently in second place behind the Lynx in the Western Conference with an 11-5 record.
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