Lynx Postgame Audio
Jennifer Gillom
Kelly Miller
Renee Montgomery
Scoring has never been Minnesota’s problem. The Lynx have been near the top of the league in points per game all season.
Lately the problem has been surviving the scoring droughts that seem to follow Minnesota’s scoring outbursts and then frantically trying to catch up at the end.
This time the Lynx built a large enough lead and stayed hot long enough to survive that drought.
The Lynx raced out of the gates and set WNBA-record marks for points in the first half and 3-pointers made in a game, but struggled in the fourth quarter, shooting only three of nine as the Monarchs closed to within three with about 30 seconds to play.
But with so little time remaining, Minnesota hit its free throws and survived Sacramento’s frantic 10-2 run in the final three minutes for a much-needed 100-95 victory Friday at the Target Center, snapping a six-game losing streak.
“We're always in the game and have a chance to win,” guard Renee Montgomery said. “To finally put it all together and win the game when it’s close, it’s just a good feeling. I think it builds trust on your team.”
For the third straight game, the Lynx (12-16) started off hot from the field scoring 30 points. Unlike the previous stretch of games that has seen them drop nine of 10, they sustained the hot streak.
Minnesota shot 70 percent and scored a WNBA-record 64 points in the first half to take a 14-point lead. The Lynx carried that hot shooting over to the second as they tied a WNBA record with 16 3-pointers in the game. The 16 made threes were also the most in a regulation game as Connecticut needed double overtime in 2007 to reach 16.
But even with the large lead, the Lynx were not running away from the Monarchs (9-20). Minnesota slowly grew its lead from 14 at halftime to as much as 19 in the third quarter. But the Monarchs shot 50 percent through three quarters and closed to within 12 entering the final frame.
Sacramento did not quit with the team’s playoff life virtually on the line. The Monarchs continued hitting shots and attacking the basket, scoring 20 points in the paint in the fourth quarter. The Lynx did not help themselves committing six turnovers and not scoring any points in the paint in the final quarter.
“That’s what we needed, enough to win the game,” coach Jen Gillom said. “You don’t expect a huge turnaround, but little by little. I saw some little by little turnarounds that we had tonight and that’s what we need.”
While Minnesota continued shooting – and mostly hitting 3-pointers – Sacramento continued to claw its way into the game and cut into the lead.
The Lynx built themselves enough of a cushion to pull out their first win in seven games, but still needed a hard lesson in closing out games.
“I think it was really important to get back on the winning track,” said Kelly Miller, who matched her season-high of 10 points in the first five minutes of the game. “It just gives us more confidence to our team. We’re right there in the playoffs now. I think we needed that. We’ve got to continue to play well and keep doing that the next couple of games.”
Miller led the team with a season-high 18 points as she hit all four of her 3-point attempts in the game as Minnesota hit on 16 of 28 3-pointers for the game. Roneeka Hodges and Nicky Anosike added 17 points and Renee Montgomery had 14 off the bench for the Lynx.
Sacramento also shot the ball well, ending the game shooting 54.5 percent, but could not match Minnesota’s firepower from beyond the arc.
The Monarchs were just two of 11 from beyond the arc and sharpshooter Nicole Powell hit on only two of her nine attempts as she finished with 18 points. Hamchetou Maiga-Ba led Sacramento with 20 points.
Gillom said she believes her team got the confidence-boosting win it needed to take control of its own destiny in the playoff race. The win puts Minnesota a game ahead of San Antonio for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference six games remaining.
The Lynx had come close to breaking the streak before, but to finally pull out a close game and get back in the win column should help them build confidence for the final stretch of games.
“We just needed one good game to get this team on a roll,” Gillom said. “I saw eyes of a tiger tonight. I have not seen that in a while. This team is understanding, and especially after the San Antonio loss last night, they know that we keep giving up chances and we can’t give up any more chances. They came out and they took care of business.”
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