Lynx push the easy button in rout of Silver Stars, 87-71
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio had no answers for Western Conference leader Minnesota (12-3) Friday night at the AT&T Center. The Western Conference leaders delivered a resounding 87-71 victory over the Silver Stars in front of 7,105 fans. While Silver Stars center Jayne Appel won the tip to get the ball in the hands of point guard Danielle Robinson, San Antonio squandered the possession and the Lynx capitalized with a reverse layup from point guard Lindsay Whalen. It was first of many layups for the Lynx’s floor general who finished the game as the high scorer with 21 points plus seven assists.
The Silver Stars matched up well with the Lynx in brief moments during the first half, but for each flash of competitivness, the Lynx countered with the one-two punch of Whalen and Maya Moore. Moore finished with 14 points plus 8 rebounds. At the half, Minnesota led 46-31.
With their two best players out for the season with ACL injuries, the Silver Stars are struggling at 4-12 with four straight losses under their belt. Sophia Young who tore her right ACL during overseas play in January was on the sidelines but Becky Hammon, who tore her left ACL a few weeks ago, had surgery July 10 and was not in the building. The injury woes continued for the Silver Stars when veteran DeLisha Milton Jones suffered a right knee injury in the third quarter and did not return to the contest.
While Minnesota missed the services of All-Star Seimone Augustus for three games as she recovered from a sprained left ankle, the guard was back in action Friday night but only scored four points.
During the second half, Jia Perkins and Danielle Robinson started off hot for San Antonio, narrowing the deficit to 11 at 46-35 but the Lynx came right back with a bucket from Whalen, McCarville and Rebekkah Brunson.
The Tulsa Shock defeated the Connecticut Sun Friday night. The Shock’s win combined with San Antonio’s loss puts the Silver Stars at the bottom of the conference and the league. San Antonio hosts the Sun Saturday night. The Lynx head to Phoenix for a Sunday contest.
