Lynx turn heads by stomping WNBA champion Storm

The Seattle Storm looked totally confused in the first half on Thursday? Don't the Lynx always lose in KeyStone Arena?

Not this night. The Lynx jumped to a 22-0 lead -- really -- and clobbered Seattle 81-74. Minnesota's lead was as big as 30 points (54-24) early in the third quarter.

Couple items to note:

* The Storm had won 22 consecutive games at KeyArena (yes. it's one word). Their last loss at home was to Los Angeles in the first round of the WNBA playoffs in September 2009.

"We didn't talk about [their streak[," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said, "but in the back of my mind I knew it. We're pretty comfortable here for whatever reason. We match up well with Seattle and we like playing in KeyArena. We love all the fans and thing that's great. It's a good spot for us."

* The Lynx had lost 10 games in a row at KeyArena. Their last win there was on June 15, 2005. None of the present players were on that team.

* The Lynx outscored Seattle 14-0 in fastbreak points, continuing a trend in recent games.

""We didn't see that [huge lead] coming, but our defense was pretty good," Reeve said. "They missed a lot of shots and we got on a roll.

"We're awfully good when we get out in transition -- we just love that part of the game and when we can do that, we're hitting on all cylinders and things come easy for us. We had them pretty twisted in the first half and just got easy stuff on them.,

"Obviously, they turned the tables on us and had a great fourth quarter. The crowd got into it, which is what we were hoping to avoid, but a win is a win."

This was actually more than a win, it signalled to the rest of the league that the Lynx, a doormat most of their 12-year history, could be a factor in the playoffs. The Lynx have reached the playoffs only twice and both times lost their first series.

"It was just a whirlwind," Seattle forward Camille Little said. "You can't give anybody in this league 20 points and expect to win the game."

Jackson, the league MVP last season, had only nine points. She made only 4 of 12 shots from the field.

"Taj McWilliams-Franklin is 40 years old, but she's a freak of nature," Reeve said. "her defense of Lauren Jackson kept her from getting her wheels rolling and that was big for them. Then it had to be Sue Bird trying to take over, so I'm happy with our defense. Fourth quarter is not what we wanted, but I've seen teams come here and have 24- or 25-point leads and lose. So we were appy to have a big lead and hang on. Win by one of by 21, it's still a win."

Rebekkah Brunson led the Lynx again with her fourth double-double in as many games. She had 22 points and 14 rebounds.