Storm deals Lynx a sour defeat

So much for the Lynx's modest three-game winning streak to open the season.

Seattle came to Target Center on Friday and thumped the Lynx 88-71 before an announced crowd of 6,423, The victory extended the Storm's winning streak against Minnesota to five games, dating to the 2007 season.

Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird, Seattle's two marquee talents, played well. Jackson, the 6-5 Aussie center, had 22 points and 11 rebounds. Bird, a smooth point guard, had 15 points and nine assists.

Those two alone are a challenge, but Seattle's Tanisha Wright added 17 points and Swin Cash, making her first start, had 15 points. Cash had offseason back surgery and Storm coach Brian Agler was working her into the lineup slowly.

He picked a good game to start her.

Whenever the Lynx left Cash or someone else open, the Storm seemed to score. Seattle (3-1) shot 56.5 percent and was even a tad better on three-pointers, 57.1 percent (8-for-14).

"Every time we seemed to get a run, they would hit a big three," Lynx coach Jen Gillom said. "We can't let four players to get into double figures."

Seimone Augustus, who was averaging 24 points for the Lynx, scored 15. She said her team was not as patient on offense as it needed to be, while the Storm was. "They didn't rush anything," Augustus said. "They got the ball to their bread and butter people ... Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird and even Swin Cash."

Charde Houston led the Lynx (3-1) with 18 points, 11 in the third quarter. That quarter ended with Seattle ahead 68-54, but then two Lynx rookies made big plays and the Lynx, for all their woes, were within eight points.

Guard Renee Montgomery, who had 10 points, made a three-pointer and 6-5 center Quanitra Hollingsworth got a big block on the other end. The Lynx streaked back the other way and Candice Wiggins finished it with a three-point play. The Lynx were within 68-60 with 9 minutes and 11 seconds left.

Wright calmly answered with a three-pointer. The lead was 11 and it never got below 10 points again.

"Things happen, you have rough games," Lynx center Nicky Anosike said. "Do you let that escalate into more off nights? Or do you come back more mature, more experienced?"

"I let them have it," Gillom said, asked what she said at the break. "I told them we didn't have a great practice the day before and I think it carried on to the game.