Reversal of Fortune
June 1, 2010
In what optimistically could be a preview of things to come, the revitalized Minnesota Lynx snapped a five-game losing streak and defeated the defending WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury 92-82 at the Target Center in Minneapolis before an announced crowd of 6,854 spectators.
Coming off the bench to spark the team was 5-10 guard Monica Wright from Virginia University who scorched the nets for 32 points, including six of 10 three-point attempts. She made 12 of 23 shots in 26 minutes of action.
“What a tremendous statement game for our team, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said after the game. “A five-game losing streak on any level isn’t easy to go through. What I told the team was stay the course, don’t get divided, continue to understand we are going about our business in the right way, and good things will happen to us soon.”
Another of the “good things” involved the home debut of WNBA veteran Rebekkah Brunson who recorded her first double-double in a Minnesota uniform, scoring 16 points and pulling down 15 rebounds.
Topping off a night of surprises was the return of star player Candice Wiggins, who scored eight points off the bench including a pair of three-point baskets. Wiggins was returning to the team after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
As had been the pattern in recent losses, the Lynx started the game off slowly, falling behind by 19-14. Then, Quanitra Hollingstworth scored on a turnaround jump shot and Wright followed with a three-pointer to tie the score at the end of the first quarter. The following quarter, the lead changed hands until Minnesota took a 40-36 lead on a Brunson lay-up.
In the third quarter, the Lynx took control when Charde Houston scored on a lay-up for a 64-48 lead, one Minnesota did not relinquish. As might be assumed from the defending champs, Phoenix made a run late in the fourth quarter, closing to within 86-79, but local hero Lindsay Whalen made six consecutive free throws to ice the game. Whalen’s totals included nine-for-nine from the free throw line for the game. She finished with 11 points and five assists.
Minnesota had nine 3-pointers against the Mercury surpassing its season-high of seven. The Lynx shot 45 percent from the field compared to 37 percent for the Mercury.
All five starters for Phoenix scored in double figures, led by all-pro Diana Taurasi with 21. Mercury coach Corey Gaines saw fit to use only three bench players to complement his starting five. None scored more than four points.