Lynx Top Silver Stars in Home Finale
Sunday, August 6, 2006
The Minnesota Lynx rode a fast start against the road-weary San Antonio Silver Stars, then hung on in the second half for a 82-68 win. Playing before an announced crowd of 5,138, the Lynx reached double figures in wins in their final game of the season at Target Center.
As it prepares for its last three games of the year on the road, Minnesota has a record of 10-21, a disappointing mark for a team that had the top pick in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft, which it used to select the electrifying Seimone Augustus from Louisiana State University.
Augustus has been anything but a disappointment in her rookie season, averaging more than 20 points a game, and she was the difference against the Silver Stars. As San Antonio shook off its lethargy in the second half and cut away at the Lynx’s lead, which had been as much as 22 points, Augustus answered with key baskets. “She’d make a tough get,” said San Antonio coach Dan Hughes. “She’s a special player. She does some tough things.”
Augustus made 12 of 19 shots from the field, including both her three-point attempts, and finished with 26 points.
San Antonio was playing its second game on the road in two nights, and “played like a tired team” in the second quarter, when it was outscored 27-11, according to Hughes. They were also without point guard Shannon “Pee Wee” Johnson, who was hurt in the previous game. Dalma Ivanyi started in Johnson’s place, although it was Jae Cross who filled most of the minutes at the point for the stars.
Leading the second-half surge for San Antonio was forward Sophia Young, who had six of her 23 points after the intermission. The Stars got within 10 points with two-and-a-half minutes to play in the game on a three-pointer by Cross, but Svetlana Abrosimova hit a three-point basket to open the gap again. Abrosimova had 13 points off the bench for Minnesota. The Lynx’s other players who reached double figures in scoring were Kristen Mann and Nicole Ohlde, who each had 11 points. Both had strong rebounding games—Ohlde had 10 rebounds despite missing much of the first half because of foul trouble, and Mann had nine. In addition, Adrian Williams had 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
The victory was the first home win for interim coach Carolyn Jenkins, who took over two weeks ago following the resignation of Suzie McConnell Serio. What lies ahead for Jenkins and the team is uncertain, as the Lynx missed the playoffs for the second straight year and once again will rest their hopes on receiving a high draft pick.