Lynx bench sparks 94-77 game one win - KMSP-TV

The Lynx took a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference Finals with a 94-77 win at Target Center. It was the bench that helped spark the team who finished a rugged series with Seattle on Tuesday night. In total, the Lynx picked up a combined 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

"We had a tough three-game series with Seattle and had to turn around and get right back into the gym yesterday. The way they approached practice yesterday was really good. They were ready to play," said head coach Cheryl Reeve. "I think the first five or six minutes we played with some fatigue, but they played through it. I think our second team was really good at jump-starting us and playing more aggressively. I was really impressed with our team today."

Rebekkah Brunson continued her strong playoff run, picking up her third double-double of the post season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Brunson is averaging 16 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Maya Moore led the way with 20 points, scoring 17 in the second half. Seimone Augustus finished with 16 points, six rebounds and a playoff career-high seven assists.

"It's something that we've been preparing for the entire season. We've tried to have that mindset in every single game that we've played, that sense of urgency. It's not easy. It's definitely something that has to come from within. You have to have good leaders that set the tone," said Maya Moore. "I'm fortunate enough to be on a team where we have leaders and coaches that put that pressure on us and put that pressure on themselves. And then our bench coming in, bringing that energy -- it was just an all-around group feeling of, 'We want this right now.' We want to carry that to the road. We know we're going to need that on the road, most definitely… The energy you saw us play with is who we are and who we want to be."

The win marked the fifth straight playoff series the Lynx opened with a win. It also extended their postseason home winning streak to eight games.

Game 2 is Sunday in Los Angeles.