MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Watching their second-year guard Betty Lennox
on Sunday, the Minnesota Lynx were probably wondering what might
have been.
Lennox, who missed 20 games with a strained left hip, scored 18
points in 22 minutes and made two crucial 3-pointers in the final
two minutes as the Lynx beat the Utah Starzz 69-62.
Since Lennox returned on August 5, the Lynx have won four of
five games. Two of those four wins have come against playoff teams.
"The Lynx are a totally different team with her on the floor,"
Utah coach Candy Harvey.
Minnesota (12-19) was ahead throughout, holding as much as a
nine-point lead in the second half.
Utah (18-13) got within 58-57 with 1:59 to play when Margo Dydek
hit a turnaround jumper, but Lennox answered with a 3-pointer with
1:37 left. Following a Utah turnover, Lennox hit another 3-pointer
to push the lead to 64-57.
"I had been working on my shot while I was out," Lennox said.
"That's the one area I really could work on. I felt comfortable
with my shot."
After Utah cut it to 66-62, Lennox sealed the victory with two
free throws with 31 seconds left.
Lennox's effort was even more impressive, considering she
reaggravated the hip injury just before halftime when she took a
hard fall.
"I was out there playing in a whole lot of pain," Lennox said.
Svetlana Abrosimova scored all 13 of her points in the second
half for Minnesota.
Abrosimova started the second half with a 3-pointer and scored
eight of the Lynx's first 11 points after intermission.
"I had some good looks in the first half that didn't go in,"
Abrosimova said. "I needed to stay aggressive, and that 3-pointer
really helped me."
Natalie Williams led the Starzz with 18 points.
The teams were plagued by 43 combined turnovers and 55 fouls.
Minnesota scored 23 points off 25 Utah turnovers.
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ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard
Utah team page
Minnesota team page
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