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Huge First Half Sends Lynx Past Storm, 100-77

The Lynx dominated early and cruised to a big win in Seattle.

By Eric in Madison
WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks at Minnesota Lynx Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

In what was their best performance of the season, the Lynx dominated the first half, scoring at will on their way to a 64-39 halftime lead, and then cruised to a 100-77 win over the Seattle Storm in Seattle. The Storm came into the game at 4-1, behind only the Lynx in the Western Conference standings, and the Lynx appeared to want to make a statement.

They did so offensively. The first half featured an array of jumpers from Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus, and a complete evisceration of the Storm inside by Sylvia Fowles, who went 10-11 in the first half and scored 26. On the rare occasion they missed a shot, they cleaned up the offensive glass, grabbing eight offensive rebounds in the first half to only five defensive boards for the Storm. Fowles was establishing incredible position down low, and her composed finishing is on a different level this season.

In the second half, the Storm took Fowles away (she did not score,) but it didn’t matter, as Rebekkah Brunson took her turn to dominate. After a quiet first half, she exploded to finish with 21 points on 9-10 from the field. Overall, the Lynx starting bigs shot 19-22 from the field and combined for 47. Combine that with 7-14 shooting from three, dominance on the glass, and it adds up to a rout.

After winning their first six games primarily on the strength of their defense, tonight their offense came to the fore. Fowles has been terrific all season, but when Whalen and Augustus are making their perimeter shots, this looks like a different team.

NOTES

  • The Storm came in playing strong ball behind guard Jewell Lloyd, who was averaging over 21 per game. The Lynx did a great job on her, and she finished with only 10. Augustus had the match up against her primarily, but the Lynx never let her shake free.
  • Maya Moore got in foul trouble early, and finished with only six points on 2-6 shooting. Her poor shooting and low scoring numbers continue, but it has yet to hurt the Lynx.
  • The Storm were able to score 44 in the paint, led by Crystal Langhorne’s 16 on 7-9 shooting. Langhorne was impressive finding ways to finish the paint.
  • In addition to her 26 and 7, Syl Fowles added three steals and two blocks tonight as she continues to impress in all categories.
  • Next up for the Lynx are the Washington Mystics on Friday night in Washington.