Fans couldnt ask for a better performance from Rebekkah Brunson and the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night, as the team dismantled the San Antonio Silver Stars 89-66 at Target Center.
Rebekkah Brunson scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, recording her eighth double-double of the season, setting a single-season franchise record for the Lynx. Seimone Augustus added 15 points and had a season-high five assists.
Minnesota fired from all cylinders right from the tip, feeding off the crowds energy and Brunsons play. Brunsons electric play was contagious, as the team played with a swagger and confidence we hadnt seen yet this season.
We had energy all over the place, we had energy on the court, we had energy on the bench, and we knew that one of the things that we were lacking was that drive and that intensity, and that is the way we need to play every game, Brunson said.
The Lynx set the tone early, jumping out to a lead due to effective movement and penetration on offense, which led to easy buckets for Minnesota. The Lynx went on a 19-5 run between the first and second quarters, credited to a one-two punch of Brunson and Seimone Augustus. Minnesota never trailed in the game after the 3:37 mark in the first quarter.
Roneeka Hodges tried to keep the Stars within distance in the second quarter with four consecutive shots made, including two quick three-pointers, but it wasnt enough as the Lynx never looked back. Hodges led the Stars with 15 points, including 13 of them coming in the first half.
Minnesota caught fire and continued its dominance from both ends of the floor throughout the contest. The Lynx shot a season-high 53.2 percent from the field, while holding San Antonio to 38.1 percent shooting and to an opponent low 66 points. Minnesota also held a 38-19 advantage on the boards, which led to 20 second chance points. Defensively, the Lynx successfully held Silver Stars All-Stars Sophia Young and Becky Hammon well below average as the two combined to shoot just 3 for 21 from the field.
Obviously a great game for the Minnesota Lynx on both sides of the ball, the combination of things we were looking for, good offense with really solid defense, and thats the end result that you get when you play that hard together, coach Cheryl Reeve said.
The Lynx also finally filled the scoring void that was left from Candice Wiggins injury, getting exactly what was needed from guards Monica Wright and Lindsay Whalen. Wright was efficient on offense, scoring 15 points, while Whalen showed flashes of her University of Minnesota days weaving through the Silver Stars defense en route to 14 points and five assists.
Everybody chipped in and did little things to put this team in a position to grow and we just want to take it from here, I think the momentum is within our grasp and we just want to carry forth with it, Brunson mentioned.
With the win, Minnesota is now a half-game back of San Antonio for the third spot in the Western Conference and has improved to 4-2 over the past six outings.
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