Whalen Paces Lynx Past Silver Stars 87-71

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Lindsay Whalen had 21 points and seven assists and the Minnesota Lynx rolled by the San Antonio Silver Stars 87-71 on Friday night, their fifth straight victory.

Maya Moore had 14 points, Devereaux Peters added 13 points, and Janel McCarville scored 10 points for Minnesota, which has won seven of eight.

Shenise Johnson, Danielle Adams and Jia Perkins each had 13 points for San Antonio. It was the fifth loss by 20-plus points this season for the Silver Stars, who have dropped four straight.

The outcome was apparent early for the Lynx. Minnesota’s starters outscored its San Antonio counterparts 58-37.

The Lynx were methodical offensively, exploiting defensive switches with an extra pass to shoot 73 percent from the floor in the first quarter. Whalen had four assists in the opening quarter and was 5 for 6 from the field. Her only miss was a near full-court shot that hit the side of the rim at the buzzer.

Minnesota opened the game on a 17-6 run and extended the lead to 12 in the first quarter, 19 in the second, 26 in the third and 27 in the fourth.

After San Antonio opened the second half with a pair of baskets to pull within 46-35, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve quickly called a timeout to chastise her players.

Minnesota went on an 8-2 burst following the timeout.

Sugar Rodgers’ 3-pointer gave Minnesota a 66-40 lead with 3 minutes left in the third quarter.

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