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06-12-2006, 06:04 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/recap?gameId=260611008
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Lynx are not known as a stellar defensive team. That wasn't apparent Sunday.
Rookie Seimone Augustus scored 19 points and Nicole Ohlde added 16 to lead the Lynx to a 75-62 win over the Houston Comets.
It was the fourth win in five games for the Lynx, whose only loss during the stretch was to the Comets (6-3) last Sunday. Augustus has led Minnesota (4-4) in scoring every game this season, but it was on defense where she sparked the Lynx during the second half on Sunday.
"It feels good that we were able to come out in the second half and do what we did," Augustus said.
Tina Thompson scored 19 points for Houston, but was limited to three in the second half and none in the fourth quarter thanks to physical defense and aggressive double-teams from Minnesota.
"I'll say one thing about the Houston Comets," Houston coach Van Chancellor said. "We've won a lot of games, but we've never won a rugby match."
Chancellor was referring to the increase in physical play that highlighted the second half. Lynx coach Suzie McConnell-Serio was glad to see her team thrive in that environment.
"That's been the knock on us all season, that we're soft," she said. "I was happy to see us respond tonight. In all of our wins this year, we've been able to respond."
Minnesota responded on offense, too.
The Lynx made 13 straight field goals to close the third quarter and start the fourth, outscoring Houston 26-10 during that stretch. Minnesota shot 14-for-16 in the third.
Ohlde scored 10 points in the quarter and forward Tamika Williams added eight.
"Tamika is an on-the-floor, vocal leader for us," McConnell-Serio said. "But I've had several conversations with her where I told her that she has to be a scoring option for us, too. It was good to see her do that tonight."
Houston played its third straight game without league MVP Sheryl Swoopes, who has a sore back and did not make the trip to Minnesota.
"We just couldn't score," Chancellor said. "They picked it up defensively and when you can't score like we couldn't score, that keeps all of your energy and nothing else."
After being contained in the first half, Augustus scored 11 points in the second half on 5-of-7 shooting. She finished with six rebounds and five assists and left the game to a loud ovation with 3:12 to play.
"I have to give credit to Houston in the first half," she said. "In the second, Ohlde and the others came out and started doing what they do best. That took some of the pressure off me and I was able to get going."
Michelle Snow added 16 points for Houston, which has lost two of three.
Lynx starting point guard Amber Jacobs hobbled off the court with 3:38 left in the third. McConnell-Serio said she aggravated an early season hip contusion and is day-to-day.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Lynx are not known as a stellar defensive team. That wasn't apparent Sunday.
Rookie Seimone Augustus scored 19 points and Nicole Ohlde added 16 to lead the Lynx to a 75-62 win over the Houston Comets.
It was the fourth win in five games for the Lynx, whose only loss during the stretch was to the Comets (6-3) last Sunday. Augustus has led Minnesota (4-4) in scoring every game this season, but it was on defense where she sparked the Lynx during the second half on Sunday.
"It feels good that we were able to come out in the second half and do what we did," Augustus said.
Tina Thompson scored 19 points for Houston, but was limited to three in the second half and none in the fourth quarter thanks to physical defense and aggressive double-teams from Minnesota.
"I'll say one thing about the Houston Comets," Houston coach Van Chancellor said. "We've won a lot of games, but we've never won a rugby match."
Chancellor was referring to the increase in physical play that highlighted the second half. Lynx coach Suzie McConnell-Serio was glad to see her team thrive in that environment.
"That's been the knock on us all season, that we're soft," she said. "I was happy to see us respond tonight. In all of our wins this year, we've been able to respond."
Minnesota responded on offense, too.
The Lynx made 13 straight field goals to close the third quarter and start the fourth, outscoring Houston 26-10 during that stretch. Minnesota shot 14-for-16 in the third.
Ohlde scored 10 points in the quarter and forward Tamika Williams added eight.
"Tamika is an on-the-floor, vocal leader for us," McConnell-Serio said. "But I've had several conversations with her where I told her that she has to be a scoring option for us, too. It was good to see her do that tonight."
Houston played its third straight game without league MVP Sheryl Swoopes, who has a sore back and did not make the trip to Minnesota.
"We just couldn't score," Chancellor said. "They picked it up defensively and when you can't score like we couldn't score, that keeps all of your energy and nothing else."
After being contained in the first half, Augustus scored 11 points in the second half on 5-of-7 shooting. She finished with six rebounds and five assists and left the game to a loud ovation with 3:12 to play.
"I have to give credit to Houston in the first half," she said. "In the second, Ohlde and the others came out and started doing what they do best. That took some of the pressure off me and I was able to get going."
Michelle Snow added 16 points for Houston, which has lost two of three.
Lynx starting point guard Amber Jacobs hobbled off the court with 3:38 left in the third. McConnell-Serio said she aggravated an early season hip contusion and is day-to-day.