Courtney Williams scored 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting and the Minnesota Lynx held on for an 82-77 win over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.
Alanna Smith added 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting for Minnesota, which remained unbeaten in its first five games. Napheesa Collier shot just 7-for-18 but finished with a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds).
Gabby Williams scored 20 points to lead Seattle, whose three-game winning streak was snapped. Skylar Diggins finished with 18 points, and Nneka Ogwumike had 11 points to go along with eight boards.
Seattle pulled within 76-73 after Diggins made a basket with 27.4 seconds remaining.
The Lynx held firm, however, as Kayla McBride sank two free throws to make it 78-73 with 23.1 seconds left.
After Diggins made one of two free-throw attempts to pull Seattle within four points, McBride delivered again with two free throws to put Minnesota on top 80-74 with 14.1 seconds to go.
Erica Wheeler made a 3-pointer to cut Seattle’s deficit to 80-77 with 11.1 seconds remaining, but that proved to be the final basket for the Storm. Collier made two free throws to finish the scoring.
The Storm outscored the Lynx 22-15 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to three points, 54-51, entering the fourth.
The Lynx sprinted to a 14-2 lead to start the game. Diggins made a layup on the first possession to put the Storm on top 2-0, and Minnesota reeled off the next 14 points in a row.
Smith, Courtney Williams and McBride accounted for all 14 points during the Lynx’s run. Smith made a pair of layups, Williams tipped in a basket and knocked down a jump shot and McBride drained each of her first two 3-point attempts.
By the end of the first quarter, the Lynx led 26-11.
The Storm outscored the Lynx 18-13 in the second quarter but remained behind 39-29 at the half. Seattle went on an 8-0 run late in the half thanks to a 3-pointer and a free throw by Diggins, a basket by Gabby Williams and a layup by Ezi Magbegor.
–Field Level Media
The Blue Jays will search for improved offense on Thursday night in Toronto when they clash with the struggling Athletics to open a seven-game homestand. Toronto is returning from a…
James Wood has played less than a full season in the major leagues, but he has already shown he can hit the ball hard and far. Wood belted his second…
Aurora Gaming and Gaimin Gladiators registered crucial wins on Wednesday as they battle for playoff berths at DreamLeague Season 26. After Aurora Gaming swept Yakult Brothers 2-0 in Group Stage…
James Wood, Nationals aim for fences against Mariners
DreamLeague 26 playoff chase goes down to last day
MLB roundup: Brewers down Red Sox in 10 again
Timbers rally for 2-1 victory over 10-man Rapids