Lynx remain perfect in WNBA league play at Target Center, rolling away from the Las Vegas Aces

Last month, in the first meeting of the season between the Lynx and Las Vegas Aces, the Lynx needed a dramatic second-half rally to defeat the Aces at Target Center.

On Friday at Target Center, the Lynx avoided the drama with a strong first half en route to a 109-78 victory over Las Vegas.

Napheesa Collier, who leads the WNBA in scoring, scored 25 points and Courtney Williams scored 23 as the Lynx reached a season high. It was the third time this season the Lynx have scored more than 100 points.

Asked if it was her team’s best game of the season, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said, “Probably, start to finish.”

The Lynx (22-4) remained unbeaten in 14 league games at Target Center this season; they lost the Commissioner’s Cup final against Indiana, a game that does not count in the WNBA standings. The Lynx have won four consecutive games and are 9-2 in their past 11 games.

Williams was 10-for-12 from the field as the Lynx shot 54.4% from the floor (37-for-68).

Bridget Carleton added 14 points, Kayla McBride had 13 and Jessica Shepard had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Williams, who was the catalyst for the Lynx rally in the teams’ first meeting, scored 16 points — on 7-for-9 shooting — and Collier scored 13 points to help the Lynx build a 51-35 lead at halftime.

“When Courtney plays like that, it’s hard for us to lose,” Reeve said.

The Lynx outscored the Aces 14-5 over the final five minutes of the half. Back-to-back three-pointers by McBride and Collier in the final minute of the half made it 51-33 before Wilson scored the final basket of the half.

The Lynx shot 51% (19-for-37) from the field in the first 20 minutes, while the Aces shot just 36% (12-for-33).

The Lynx outscored the Aces 15-4 over the final 4 minutes, 22 seconds of the first quarter to open a 27-18 lead at the quarter break. A three-pointer by Carleton with 3:06 left in the quarter broke a 14-14 tie and gave the Lynx the lead for good. Williams (nine points), Carleton (eight) and Collier (seven) combined for 24 points in the first quarter.

WNBA standings

A’ja Wilson scored 15 points and Jackie Young 14 for the Aces (12-13), who were playing for the third time in four days. The Aces lost at Indiana 80-70 on Thursday. Wilson, who scored 20 on Thursday, went into the game second in the league in scoring (22.3), first in blocks (2.3) and second in rebounds (9.2). Wilson had 20 on Thursday

On June 17 at Target Center, the Aces led by as many as 14 in the first half and led 39-30 at halftime. Williams scored 18 of her 20 points in the second half as the Lynx rallied for a 76-62 victory. The Lynx outscored the Aces 46-23 in the second half, despite playing much of the second half without Collier, who left that game with eight minutes left in the third quarter after getting hurt.