Swanny’s Stats

The official Minnesota Lynx Statistician Blog

Indiana 91, New York 70
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: New York 73, Indiana 74
Rebound Percentage: New York .424, Indiana .575
Points Off Turnovers: New York 9, Indiana 13
Points in the Paint: New York 36, Indiana 36
2nd-Chance Points: New York 14, Indiana 11
Fast Break Points: New York 2, Indiana 10
Individual Plus/Minus:
New York: Christon -21, Schumacher -17, Farris -7, Hammon -19, Moore -4, Thorn -13, Baker -3, Kraayeveld -16, Tillis -2, Battle -3
Indiana: Catchings +2, Whitmore +12, Hoffman -1, DeForge +4, Bevilaqua -2, Scott +5, White +21, Frohlich +17, Sharp +23, Atkinson +19, Smith +5

Los Angeles 64, Chicago 55
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Los Angeles 75, Chicago 77
Rebound Percentage: Los Angeles .531, Chicago .468
Points Off Turnovers: Los Angeles 13, Chicago 16
Points in the Paint: Los Angeles 26, Chicago 18
2nd-Chance Points: Los Angeles 10, Chicago 4
Fast Break Points: Los Angeles 6, Chicago 11
Individual Plus/Minus:
Los Angeles: Page +11, J.Moore -4, Leslie +13, Mabika +7, T.Moore +11, Thomas +6, Hodges-Lewis -3, Willis +5, Johnson +2, Davis 0, Udongue -3
Chicago: Wyckoff -1, Dupree -14, Robinson 0, Perkins -1, Dales -5, Lovelace -6, Lassiter -7, McCray -8, Jackson -8, Shimek +5

Detroit 77, Connecticut 73 (OT)
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Detroit 90, Connecticut 91
Rebound Percentage: Detroit .593, Connecticut .406
Points Off Turnovers: Detroit 7, Connecticut 19
Points in the Paint: Detroit 28, Connecticut 18
2nd-Chance Points: Detroit 8, Connecticut 7
Fast Break Points: Detroit 6, Connecticut 7
Individual Plus/Minus:
Detroit: Cash 0, Ford +17, Riley +7, Nolan +7, Smith +3, Batteast +4, Holland-Corn -4, Braxton -7, Pierson -6, Williams -1
Connecticut: Sales -6, McWilliams-Franklin -9, Dydek -9, Douglas -8, Whalen -5, Jones +7, Summerton +6, Phillips +1, Mahoney +3, Carey 0

Washington 90, Minnesota 75
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Minnesota 82, Washington 83
Rebound Percentage: Minnesota .446, Washington .554
Points Off Turnovers: Minnesota 12, Washington 30
Points in the Paint: Minnesota 26, Washington 46
2nd-Chance Points: Minnesota 10, Washington 13
Fast Break Points: Minnesota 11, Washington 20
Individual Plus/Minus:
Minnesota: Mann -1, T.Williams -20, Ohlde +1, Augustus -17, Jacobs -10, Hayden +3, Abrosimova -15, A.Williams -14, Duffy -5, Lewis +3
Washington: Robinson -6, Milton-Jones +9, Melvin +2, Beard +14, Teasley +5, Byears +20, Sanford +13, Blue +10, Miller +8, Koehn 0

Indiana 75, Chicago 60
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Indiana 75, Chicago 75
Rebound Percentage: Indiana .553, Chicago .446
Points Off Turnovers: Indiana 14, Chicago 12
Points in the Paint: Indiana 32, Chicago 26
2nd-Chance Points: Indiana 12, Chicago 21
Fast Break Points: Indiana 11, Chicago 6
Individual Plus/Minus:
Indiana: Catchings +21, Whitmore +19, Hoffman +10, DeForge +18, Bevilaqua +13, White +6, Atkinson -3, Frohlich -3, Sharp -3, Terry -3
Chicago: Dupree -15, Wyckoff -4, Robinson -10, Newton -2, Powell -14, Jackson -11, Dales -10, Lovelace -4, Shimek 0, Perkins -5

Charlotte 73, Washington 63
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Washington 80, Charlotte 81
Rebound Percentage: Washington .543, Charlotte .457
Points Off Turnovers: Washington 22, Charlotte 20
Points in the Paint: Washington 32, Charlotte 30
2nd-Chance Points: Washington 10, Charlotte 18
Fast Break Points: Washington 15, Charlotte 4
Individual Plus/Minus:
Washington: Robinson -8, Milton-Jones -10, Melvin -5, Beard +1, Teasley -11, Byears -1, Miller -9, Sanford -5, Blue -4, Koehn +2
Charlotte: Sam +9, Smith +18, Sutton-Brown +20, Currie +7, Darling -14, Mazzante +15, Bond +13, Leuchanka -8, Fluker -10

Los Angeles 80, San Antonio 71
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Los Angeles 81, San Antonio 81
Rebound Percentage: Los Angeles .594, San Antonio .405
Points Off Turnovers: Los Angeles 10, San Antonio 14
Points in the Paint: Los Angeles 34, San Antonio 24
2nd-Chance Points: Los Angeles 17, San Antonio 4
Fast Break Points: Los Angeles 9, San Antonio 9
Individual Plus/Minus:
Los Angeles: Mabika +12, J.Moore +1, Leslie +12, Hodges-Lewis +5, T.Moore +6, Page +8, Thomas -1, Udongue +2, Davis 0
San Antonio: Bibrzycka -8, Young -7, Feenstra -8, V.Johnson -2, S.Johnson -17, Anderson -2, Zolman -3, Ivanyi +8, Wecker -1, Thomas -1, Ely -4

Seattle 94, Phoenix 81
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Seattle 84, Phoenix 84
Rebound Percentage: Seattle .601, Phoenix .398
Points Off Turnovers: Seattle 11, Phoenix 12
Points in the Paint: Seattle 54, Phoenix 18
2nd-Chance Points: Seattle 12, Phoenix 8
Fast Break Points: Seattle 7, Phoenix 8
Individual Plus/Minus:
Seattle: Castro Marques +7, Jackson +4, Burse +10, Lennox +2, Bird +9, Wright +5, Gortman +12, Palmer +18, Turner +4, Johnson -4, Chones -2
Phoenix: Pondexter -9, Lacy -8, Vodichkova -12, Taurasi -8, Jackson -1, Rasmussen -2, Smith -16, Pettis -7, Strother -6, Irvin +2, Snell +2

Houston 81, Sacramento 66
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Houston 74, Sacramento 73
Rebound Percentage: Houston .450, Sacramento .550
Points Off Turnovers: Houston 23, Sacramento 13
Points in the Paint: Houston 20, Sacramento 26
2nd-Chance Points: Houston 4, Sacramento 14
Fast Break Points: Houston 2, Sacramento 5
Individual Plus/Minus:
Houston: Swoopes +23, Thompson +19, Snow +10, Canty +26, Staley +17, Christensen +4, Hodges 0, Williams -10, Kostaki -14
Sacramento: Powell -25, Brunson -1, Griffith -22, Dorrell +3, Penicheiro -26, Maiga-Ba -16, Lawson -13, Smith +11, Buescher +8, Haynie +6

Detroit 78, Minnesota 69
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Minnesota 75, Detroit 75
Rebound Percentage: Minnesota .450, Detroit .549
Points Off Turnovers: Minnesota 16, Detroit 18
Points in the Paint: Minnesota 20, Detroit 30
2nd-Chance Points: Minnesota 18, Detroit 18
Fast Break Points: Minnesota 1, Detroit 10
Individual Plus/Minus:
Minnesota: Mann -6, Ohlde -4, Hayden -7, Augustus -7, Jacobs -13, A.Williams -13, Abrosimova +3, Thorburn -4, Duffy +3, Lewis +3
Detroit: Cash +9, Ford +5, Riley +14, Nolan +16, Smith +10, Pierson -2, Holland-Corn -8, Braxton +1, Batteast 0, Williams 0

Los Angeles 72, Charlotte 65
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Los Angeles 82, Charlotte 82
Rebound Percentage: Los Angeles .599, Charlotte .401
Points Off Turnovers: Los Angeles 24, Charlotte 18
Points in the Paint: Los Angeles 46, Charlotte 24
2nd-Chance Points: Los Angeles 15, Charlotte 12
Fast Break Points: Los Angeles 12, Charlotte 2
Individual Plus/Minus:
Los Angeles: Page +13, J.Moore -3, Leslie +9, T.Moore +8, Johnson -4, Hodges-Lewis -7, Thomas +8, Davis +11, Ndongue 0
Charlotte: Sam -14, Smith -11, Sutton-Brown +1, Currie +2, Darling -3, Fluker -5, Bond -6, Mazzante 0, Leuchanka +1

Washington 95, New York 60
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: New York 78, Washington 78
Rebound Percentage: New York .607, Washington .392
Points Off Turnovers: New York 15, Washington 31
Points in the Paint: New York 10, Washington 50
2nd-Chance Points: New York 12, Washington 6
Fast Break Points: New York 7, Washington 23
Individual Plus/Minus:
New York: Battle -20, Farris -36, Schumacher -30, Christon -33, Hammon -29, Moore -14, Kraayeveld -3, N'Garsanet -1, Baker 0, Gomis -2, Brown -7
Washington: Robinson +30, Milton-Jones +31, Melvin +26, Beard +24, Teasley +11, Blue +21, Byears +3, Miller +9, Sanford +12, Koehn +3, James +5

Sacramento 76, Chicago 63
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Sacramento 71, Chicago 72
Rebound Percentage: Sacramento .564, Chicago .436
Points Off Turnovers: Sacramento 15, Chicago 11
Points in the Paint: Sacramento 34, Chicago 20
2nd-Chance Points: Sacramento 7, Chicago 4
Fast Break Points: Sacramento 3, Chicago 8
Individual Plus/Minus:
Sacramento: Powell +17, Brunson +16, Griffith +11, Dorrell +1, Penicheiro +17, Lawson +8, Haynie -4, Smith -1, Maiga-Ba -1, Buescher +1
Chicago: McCray -7, Wyckoff -7, Robinson -8, Dales -8, Powell -12, Dupree -9, Newton -6, Perkins -3, Jackson -3, Lovelace -2

Indiana 62, San Antonio 53
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Indiana 72, San Antonio 72
Rebound Percentage: Indiana .481, San Antonio .519
Points Off Turnovers: Indiana 15, San Antonio 12
Points in the Paint: Indiana 30, San Antonio 22
2nd-Chance Points: Indiana 7, San Antonio 9
Fast Break Points: Indiana 13, San Antonio 6
Individual Plus/Minus:
Indiana: Catchings +9, Whitmore +2, Hoffman +13, DeForge +8, Bevilaqua +3, Sharp +6, Atkinson +11, Scott -2, White -5
San Antonio: Ely -13, Young -9, Feenstra -9, V.Johnson -2, S.Johnson -10, Ivanyi +1, Anderson -1, Zolman -3, Thomas +5, Wecker -4, Bibrzycka 0

Connecticut 81, Minnesota 69
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Connecticut 74, Minnesota 75
Rebound Percentage: Connecticut .464, Minnesota .535
Points Off Turnovers: Connecticut 10, Minnesota 8
Points in the Paint: Connecticut 20, Minnesota 34
2nd-Chance Points: Connecticut 13, Minnesota 13
Fast Break Points: Connecticut 4, Minnesota 9
Individual Plus/Minus:
Connecticut: Sales +7, McWilliams-Franklin +10, Dydek +6, Douglas +9, Whalen -7, Jones +6, Mahoney +9, Phillips +19, Summerton +1, Willingham 0
Minnesota: Mann -14, Ohlde -9, Hayden -13, Augustus 0, Jacobs -11, T.Williams +3, Abrosimova -7, Thorburn -5, A.Williams -11, Duffy +7

Houston 84, Seattle 59
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Houston 75, Seattle 76
Rebound Percentage: Houston .490, Seattle .510
Points Off Turnovers: Houston 18, Seattle 14
Points in the Paint: Houston 42, Seattle 30
2nd-Chance Points: Houston 6, Seattle 15
Fast Break Points: Houston 4, Seattle 13
Individual Plus/Minus:
Houston: Swoopes +26, Thompson +18, Snow +15, Canty +19, Staley +21, Christensen +15, Hodges +4, Kostaki +5, Williams +2
Seattle: Castro Marques -13, Jackson -17, Palmer -18, Lennox -26, Bird -15, Chones -6, Gortman -9, Johnson -9, Wright -8, Turner -4

San Antonio 79, Houston 63
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: San Antonio 77, Houston 77
Rebound Percentage: San Antonio .625, Houston .375
Points Off Turnovers: San Antonio 21, Houston 15
Points in the Paint: San Antonio 30, Houston 32
2nd-Chance Points: San Antonio 23, Houston 8
Fast Break Points: San Antonio 10, Houston 3
Individual Plus/Minus:
San Antonio: Bibrzycka -1, Young +21, Feenstra +7, V.Johnson +12, S.Johnson +19, Anderson +4, Thomas +4, Wecker -2, Ely +9, Ivanyi -3, Zolman +10
Houston: Swoopes -15, Thompson -10, Snow -13, Canty -6, Staley -2, Phillips -8, Hodges -20, Kostaki -4, Williams -2

Seattle 90, Los Angeles 67
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Los Angeles 82, Seattle 81
Rebound Percentage: Los Angeles .475, Seattle .525
Points Off Turnovers: Los Angeles 20, Seattle 20
Points in the Paint: Los Angeles 22, Seattle 32
2nd-Chance Points: Los Angeles 4, Seattle 8
Fast Break Points: Los Angeles 7, Seattle 16
Individual Plus/Minus:
Los Angeles: Mabika -22, J.Moore -15, Leslie -12, T.Moore -19, Johnson -19, Thomas +3, Hodges-Lewis 0, Ndongue -13, Willis -5, Page -3, Davis -10
Seattle: Castro Marques +24, Jackson +14, Palmer +28, Lennox +18, Bird +25, Johnson +6, Wright +5, Gortman -5, Chones -2, Turner +2

Sacramento 105, Phoenix 78
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Phoenix 90, Sacramento 91
Rebound Percentage: Phoenix .374, Sacramento .626
Points Off Turnovers: Phoenix 17, Sacramento 20
Points in the Paint: Phoenix 32, Sacramento 56
2nd-Chance Points: Phoenix 5, Sacramento 20
Fast Break Points: Phoenix 12, Sacramento 23
Individual Plus/Minus:
Phoenix: Pondexter -6, Lacy +4, Vodichkova -20, Taurasi -16, Miller -10, Pettis -21, Jackson -15, Rasmussen -9, Snell -16, Strother -6, Stevenson -20
Sacramento: Powell +28, Brunson +14, Griffith +14, Dorrell -1, Penicheiro +17, Lawson +11, Smith +13, Maiga-Ba +23, Haynie +10, Buescher +6, Wilkins 0

Chicago 83, Charlotte 82
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Chicago 87, Charlotte 87
Rebound Percentage: Chicago .403, Charlotte .597
Points Off Turnovers: Chicago 31, Charlotte 29
Points in the Paint: Chicago 38, Charlotte 34
2nd-Chance Points: Chicago 10, Charlotte 23
Fast Break Points: Chicago 23, Charlotte 7
Individual Plus/Minus:
Chicago: McCray +4, Wyckoff 0, Robinson +9, Dales -5, Powell -2, Lassiter +7, Newton 0, Perkins -3, Dupree 0, Lovelace -4, Jackson -1
Charlotte: Sam +9, Smith +7, Sutton-Brown +5, Feaster -1, Darling -7, Currie -10, Leuchanka -6, Mazzante 0, Bond +6, Fluker -8, Walker 0

Connecticut 91, New York 74
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: New York 83, Connecticut 82
Rebound Percentage: New York .430, Connecticut .570
Points Off Turnovers: New York 27, Connecticut 17
Points in the Paint: New York 16, Connecticut 38
2nd-Chance Points: New York 11, Connecticut 18
Fast Break Points: New York 4, Connecticut 9
Individual Plus/Minus:
New York: Christon -14, Schumacher -8, Farris -22, Battle -5, Hammon -12, Baker -10, Moore 0, Kraayeveld -4, Brown -10
Connecticut: Sales +12, McWilliams-Franklin +17, Dydek +10, Douglas +10, Whalen +7, Jones +9, Phillips +13, Summerton +6, Mahoney +3, Willingham 0, Carey -2

Indiana 67, Detroit 60
Team Comparison:
Total Possessions: Detroit 75, Indiana 77
Rebound Percentage: Detroit .442, Indiana .557
Points Off Turnovers: Detroit 9, Indiana 11
Points in the Paint: Detroit 32, Indiana 14
2nd-Chance Points: Detroit 8, Indiana 20
Fast Break Points: Detroit 4, Indiana 7
Individual Plus/Minus:
Detroit: Cash -10, Ford -7, Riley -10, Nolan -13, Smith -5, Holland-Corn +8, Pierson +3, Braxton 0, Batteast -1
Indiana: Smith -1, Catchings +8, Whitmore +16, DeForge +7, Bevilaqua +10, Hoffman +4, White -2, Scott -5, Atkinson -2, Sharp 0

Notes and highlights from the Lynx' brief two-game preseason schedule:

* Minnesota surpassed the 80-point barrier in both outings, tallying 83 in regulation at Phoenix and 84 against Seattle. A year ago, the Lynx did not reach 80 in regulation even once, posting their season high in an 86-81 overtime victory at Seattle on June 15. They averaged 65.0 ppg for the season (10th in the WNBA), while their three exhibition outings yielded an average of 69.0 ppg.

* The Lynx enjoyed significant rebounding advantages twice, piling up a 66-47 margin (+19) at Phoenix and outboarding Seattle by a 39-27 count (+12). Minnesota posted only one double-figure edge in 2005 (33-20 at New York on July 15) while facing deficits of 10+ rebounds on six occasions. For the year, they ranked 8th in rebounding margin (-0.9 rpg).

* Minnesota contributed 29 miscues (eight in OT) to the Mercury turnover grinder -- Phoenix forced 93 errors in three preseason starts, including 36 by Connecticut on May 13 -- but the Lynx bounced back to commit just eight TOs in their victory over Seattle. That total was a single-game low in the WNBA this preseason. Minnesota's 2005 low was a nine-TO outing at Seattle on Aug. 18; they coughed up 20+ miscues on eight separate occasions.

* The lineup of Mann-Ohlde-Hayden-Augustus-Jacobs proved to be the Lynx' most effective in terms of plus/minus totals, outscoring Phoenix 24-12 during the 6:39 they were on the floor together, and holding a 45-33 edge over Seattle in a 16:25 stint. A look at Minnesota's top preseason combinations:
Mann-Ohlde-Hayden-Augustus-Jacobs (23:04) -- 69-45 (+24)
Abrosimova-Mann-Ohlde-Augustus-Jacobs (4:54) -- 14-4 (+10)
Augustus-Mann-Ohlde-Lewis-Duffy (1:44) -- 4-0 (+4)

Starters:

F -- Kristen Mann (10.0 ppg, 37.5% FG, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg)
Far and away the team's plus/minus leader at +33 (Ohlde was second at +19). Drilled three treys vs. Seattle, after finishing her rookie season 0-for-9.

F -- Nicole Ohlde (12.0 ppg, 36.8% FG, 8.5 rpg, 3.0 apg)
Her 13 rebounds at Phoenix represented the WNBA's second-best single-game total this preseason (Lisa Leslie had 17 at Chicago, May 9).

C -- Vanessa Hayden (8.5 ppg, 50.0% FG, 8.0 rpg, 1.00 bpg)
Averaged 17.7 rebounds per 40 minutes, with a Rebound Rate of 21.1%.

G -- Seimone Augustus (28.0 ppg, 50.0% FG, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.00 bpg)
The WNBA's leading preseason scorer, she also helped limit Diana Taurasi to 5-for-19 shooting and Betty Lennox to a 4-for-16 night.

G -- Amber Jacobs (11.5 ppg, 33.3% FG, 3.5 rpg, 6.0 apg)
Dished out a league-leading 6.0 apg during the preseason. Tallied eight points (sinking a pair of treys) in the third quarter vs. Seattle.

Reserves:

F -- Svetlana Abrosimova (2.0 ppg, 16.7% FG, 8.0 rpg, 2.0 apg)
Arrived in time for the Seattle contest. Grabbed four of her game-high eight rebounds during the Lynx' 14-3 finishing surge.

F -- Adrian Williams (10.0 ppg, 30.0% FG, 9.5 rpg)
Posted a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double at Phoenix. Her 9.5 rpg ranked 2nd in the WNBA's preseason, trailing only Lisa Leslie (11.0 rpg).

G -- Tynesha Lewis (2.0 ppg, 28.6% FG, 2.5 rpg)
Her fast-break jumper gave Minnesota an 81-79 lead late in the fourth period at Phoenix.

G -- Shona Thorburn (3.0 ppg, 50.0% FG, 3.0 rpg)
Hauled in six rebounds at Phoenix, and also keyed a 7-0 third-quarter Lynx run by scoring five points.

G -- Megan Duffy (0.0 ppg, 00.0% FG, 1.0 apg, 1.00 spg)
Swiped the Lynx' only two steals in the win over Seattle.

Perfumerías Avenida won its first-ever Spanish League championship on Tuesday night, defeating Barcelona 57-50 before a sellout home crowd of 4,000 to take the best-of-five series, three games to one. Núria Martínez played all 40 minutes, finishing with seven points, three assists and four steals. Avenida was led by Kelly Schumacher's 18 points and 11 rebounds, with Taj McWilliams-Franklin adding 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

For the series, Martínez averaged 8.0 ppg and 2.5 apg. Schumacher was named Finals MVP after tallying 20.8 ppg and 9.8 rpg, while José Ignacio Hernández earned Coach of the Year honors. The club drew more than 8,000 fans to a celebration rally in Salamanca's historic Plaza Mayor on Wednesday. Martínez is shown here holding the championship trophy, in a photo from the front page of the Spanish League's official site:

“Life in the WNBA: The Minnesota Lynx” will air Monday, May 15, Channel 6, MCN, 9 PM

The life of the elite female athlete and the pursuit of excellence will be discussed on the award-winning Mary Hanson cable show. This informative and engaging show will be broadcast first on Channel 6, the Metro Cable Network, or MCN, on Monday, May 15, at 9 PM. (The Metro Cable Network reaches the entire seven county metro region.)

The guests on this episode are Lynx players, Nicole Ohlde and Adrian Williams. Ohlde was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in 2004 and was the most decorated player in Kansas State women’s basketball history. Williams is a veteran free agent forward who graduated from USC in 1999 and played for the Phoenix Mercury in 2004. Ohlde and Williams talk with Mary about training, life in the off-season, the mental part of being an athlete and how they deal with pressures. They also compare collegiate play to life in the WNBA and talk about the importance for young girls to pursue sport.

In addition to Channel 6, this program will also be seen on several other cable systems. Look for “Life in the WNBA: The Minnesota Lynx” on the following channels the week of May 15th:

May 15: Ch. 6, the Metro Cable Network (MCN); 9:00 p.m.
May 15: Ch. 20, PACT TV (Duluth/Superior); 5:00 p.m.
May 17: Ch. 15, St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN); 6:30 p.m.
May 17: Ch. 17, Minneapolis Television Network (MTN); 8:00 p.m.
May 18: Ch. 20, PACT TV (Duluth/Superior); 6:30 p.m.
May 19: Ch. 20, PACT TV (Duluth/Superior); 9:30 a.m.

The Mary Hanson Show, the longest-running cable television program in the United States, is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. The program has also been on public television, KTCI, for the past twelve years. It provides a forum for Minnesota leaders and explores social, health and contemporary issues.

Starting Lineups:
Minnesota: Mann, Ohlde, Hayden, Augustus, Jacobs
Phoenix: Taurasi, Irvin, Lacy, Pettis, Miller

Diana Taurasi opens the game with a 3-pointer, but Seimone Augustus responds with a three-point play 17 seconds later. Amber Jacobs scores six unanswered points for a 9-6 Lynx lead, before Sandora Irvin tallies twice during an 8-2 Phoenix surge. Neither team leads by more than three points in the opening quarter, which features 11 lead changes -- the last of which occurs when Kristen Mann beats the buzzer off a dish from Shona Thorburn.

End of 1st Quarter: Minnesota 24, Phoenix 23

Minnesota begins the second quarter by missing seven of its first eight shots and committing four turnovers. The Mercury take advantage with treys from Kelly Miller and Belinda Snell to grab a four-point advantage. Augustus finally ends the Lynx drought with a 3-pointer of her own that knots the score at 31-31 with 5:30 remaining. Phoenix answers with a 10-2 burst, capped by Bridget Pettis' steal and layup, to take its biggest lead of the game at 41-33 with 2:19 to play.

Halftime: Phoenix 43, Minnesota 37

In a turnaround from the previous quarter, the Lynx score on seven of their first nine possessions, jumping ahead when Vanessa Hayden's three-point play makes it 50-49. Later, Thorburn sinks a 3-pointer to trigger a run of seven straight for Minnesota, giving them a 65-58 advantage with 1:52 left. Irvin's 3-pointer and putback get Phoenix back within two, but the Lynx use Tynesha Lewis' jumper at the horn to cap a 30-point quarter.

End of 3rd Quarter: Minnesota 67, Phoenix 63

Hayden tallies the Lynx' first two baskets of the fourth period, then two more Augustus jumpers keep Minnesota in front by six. However, six consecutive misses help Phoenix catch up, finally pulling even when Cappie Pondexter finds Taurasi on a breakaway to make it 79-79 with 3:14 remaining. Lewis reclaims the lead for Minnesota, with Pondexter responding at the 1:05 mark after grabbing an offensive rebound. Augustus dishes to Ohlde for the go-ahead layup with :49.3 left. However, the Mercury use two more offensive boards to retain possession, eventually tying it when Pondexter feeds Jennifer Lacy off an inbound pass at the :07.4 mark. Phoenix forces a turnover on Minnesota's final chance, leading to overtime.

End of 4th Quarter: Minnesota 83, Phoenix 83

Minnesota wins the tap and Augustus goes glass for the lead. The Mercury score the game's next seven points, however, taking the lead for good on Taurasi's three-point play with 3:01 to play. Two Taurasi free throws make it 90-85, but Augustus tallies her 30th point of the contest to get the Lynx within three. Minnesota gets defensive stops on the next two Phoenix possessions, only to come up dry on its own end as well, and Miller seals it by sinking a 15-footer with :16.7 remaining. The Lynx commit eight turnovers in the overtime period, leading to nine Phoenix points.

Final Score: Phoenix 96, Minnesota 90

Team Statistics:
FG Percentage: Minnesota 38.0% (35-92), Phoenix 36.2% (38-105)
3FG Percentage: Minnesota 25.0% (2-8), Phoenix 24.0% (6-25)
FT Percentage: Minnesota 81.8% (18-22), Phoenix 82.4% (14-17)
Rebounds: Minnesota 66 (22 Off, 44 Def), Phoenix 47 (17 Off, 30 Def)
Assists: Minnesota 12, Phoenix 19
Turnovers: Minnesota 29, Phoenix 11
Steals: Minnesota 5, Phoenix 19
Blocks: Minnesota 1, Phoenix 12
Points Off Turnovers: Minnesota 4, Phoenix 30
Points in the Paint: Minnesota 44, Phoenix 32
2nd-Chance Points: Minnesota 18, Phoenix 18
Fast Break Points: Minnesota 8, Phoenix 26

Individual Statistics:
Minnesota:
Mann (31:41) -- 7 pts (2-10 FG, 3-3 FT), 3-6-9 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 3 TO
Ohlde (23:38) -- 9 pts (4-14 FG, 1-1 FT), 5-8-13 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 2 TO
Hayden (13:53) -- 10 pts (4-9 FG, 2-3 FT), 2-6-8 reb, 1 stl, 3 TO
Augustus (38:52) -- 30 pts (14-27 FG, 1-2 3FG, 1-1 FT), 2-4-6 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 6 TO, 1 blk
Jacobs (30:43) -- 10 pts (3-10 FG, 0-2 3FG, 4-4 FT), 1-3-4 reb, 5 ast, 4 TO
Thorburn (21:27) -- 6 pts (2-3 FG, 1-2 3FG, 1-2 FT), 2-4-6 reb, 1 ast
Williams (27:05) -- 12 pts (3-12 FG, 6-8 FT), 6-6-12 reb, 1 stl, 5 TO
Lewis (15:44) -- 4 pts (2-4 FG, 0-1 3FG), 1-3-4 reb, 1 ast, 1 TO
Anderson (2:19) -- 2 pts (1-1 FG), 0-0-0 reb, 1 TO
Duffy (10:46) -- 0 pts (0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG), 0-3-3 reb, 1 ast, 2 TO
Davis (4:12) -- 0 pts (0-0 FG), 0-0-0 reb, 1 TO
Strom (4:40) -- 0 pts (0-1 FG), 0-1-1 reb

Phoenix:
Taurasi (31:24) -- 17 pts (5-19 FG, 2-12 3FG, 5-5 FT), 0-5-5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 3 TO, 3 blk
Irvin (27:11) -- 13 pts (6-11 FG, 1-1 3FG), 4-7-11 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl, 4 blk
Lacy (22:35) -- 8 pts (4-9 FG), 2-1-3 reb, 1 ast, 1 TO, 1 blk
Pettis (16:37) -- 2 pts (1-7 FG), 1-1-2 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl
Miller (28:16) -- 15 pts (5-14 FG, 1-2 3FG, 4-4 FT), 1-1-2 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl, 1 TO, 1 blk
Hall (13:28) -- 3 pts (0-6 FG, 3-5 FT), 1-5-6 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 2 TO
Pondexter (21:35) -- 18 pts (9-20 FG, 0-4 3FG), 5-3-8 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk
Strother (26:34) -- 7 pts (3-6 FG, 1-3 3FG), 3-5-8 reb, 2 stl, 1 TO, 1 blk
Williams (9:56) -- 4 pts (2-3 FG), 0-0-0 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl
Jackson (12:17) -- 4 pts (2-7 FG, 0-1 3FG), 0-1-1 reb, 1 ast, 2 TO
Snell (10:40) -- 5 pts (1-3 FG, 1-2 3FG, 2-2 FT), 0-1-1 reb, 2 ast
Smith (4:28) -- 0 pts (0-0 FG), 0-0-0 reb

Due to Season Ticket Holder feedback over the last couple of years informing us that not all STH were interested in attending the Day Game and therefore did not want to pay for it, we have created a new opportunity for season ticket holders.

The Day Game (July 19 vs. Chicago) is not included in the STH package, which means you did not pay for that game when you purchased your season tickets. This way, if you are a STH who chooses not to attend the game, you do not lose any money.

For those STH who would like to attend the Day Game, you will receive a special offer in the next few weeks and be notified through email of this offer. The offer will consist of an option for a seat upgrade and tickets to the game at no additional charge.

Please let me know if you have any questions. There will be more information regarding this situation to follow.

Thank You for your patience and support!

Go Lynx!

Former Minnesota Lynx Sales Manager, Shelly Boyum-Breen was honored with a Woman of Achievement Award at the 39th Annual National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)Awards Gala at International Market Square in Minneapolis on April 27th. Boyum-Breen served in her role as manager for two seasons with the Lynx and is currently serving in a consulting role while working on her non-profit, Foundation IX.

The NAWBO is the leading national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all industries. The Minnesota chapter carries out the mission through exceptional peer networking, mentoring, leadership training, education and visibility in the media and the community. Minnesota NAWBO offers great events and networking opportunities, as well as the MasterMind(tm) program, an Advisory Board Program for women leading businesses.

NAWBO's Annual Awards Gala celebrates and brings together a diverse and talented group of businesswomen. The awards celebrate the contributions women business owners have made to the Minnesota business community and culture, as well as to the larger national and global economies. The women receiving awards are pioneers who have forged their own paths to success, carved out new rules in business with intelligence, compassion and courage. This year, the NAWBO honored 39 women and two organizations as Media Advocate of the Year and Premium Partner of the Year.

Lynx Season Ticket Holders:

First, I apologize for the set-backs we have faced over the last two days. Because of this problem, we are changing the method of obtaining your preseason game tickets to make the process easier and more efficient for you!

Instead of accessing your exhibition game (May 13 vs. Seattle) tickets via Ticketmaster web site, please email or call me with your orders. As part of your STH benefits, you receive the equal amount of season tickets on your account for free (i.e. if you have 2 season tickets on your account, you automatically get 2 free tickets to the exhibition game), and have first dibs at purchasing additional tickets for the game in your section. (Additional tickets in your section are $20/each.)

We have reserved the seat backs sections in the Sports Pav exclusively for STH.

Please email or call me with your orders. Tickets are first come first served.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Go Lynx!
Nicole
nsmith@lynxbasketball.com
612.673.1681

There is a small glitch in the process to access your May 13th exhibition tickets. The letter states that you can print your tickets off, which is the method we expected to be set up by Ticketmaster. However, currently the web site is not giving sth that option. We are working with Ticketmaster as we speak to correct this issue.

In the meantime, you can have the tickets mailed to you by clicking on the "Standard Mail" option (this option will not charge you for S & H).

I will keep you updated on our progress with this minor set-back.

Thank you for your patience!

Go Lynx!

Updates on the three Lynx players absent from training camp:

Svetlana Abrosimova -- Volgaburmash completed a sweep of its best-of-five Russian Superleague championship series by handing UMMC Ekaterinburg an 89-77 defeat on Sunday. Volgaburmash trailed by two entering the fourth quarter before outscoring their hosts 25-11 to grab their second consecutive title, capping off an amazing 54-3 season. Ann Wauters led the way with 24 points and 14 rebounds in the clincher. Abrosimova, who played sparingly in the series' first two games, chipped in four points and three rebounds. She's scheduled to be in the Twin Cities next Monday (May 8).

Kristi Harrower -- Valenciennes enters tonight's return match against Mourenx virtually assured of advancing to the French League semifinals, having steamrolled to an 83-47 victory in Game 1 of the total-points quarterfinal series on Saturday. Harrower tallied 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds in just 18 minutes, helping to overcome an 18-point night by league MVP Tamika Whitmore of Mourenx. Should regular-season champ Valenciennes receive a favorable result this evening, they'll advance to a two-game semifinal series beginning next Wednesday. The best-of-three finals start May 16 and could stretch to the 21st. Harrower is then expected to return to Australia to begin preparation for September's FIBA World Championships.

Nuria Martinez -- Perfumerias Avenida began its best-of-five Spanish League championship series by dropping a 74-68 decision to Barcelona on Tuesday night, despite 20 points from Kelly Schumacher and a 12-point, nine-rebound effort from Taj McWilliams-Franklin. Martinez added 12 points and five boards for Avenida, which reached the finals by rallying for a 2-1 series victory over Hondarribia-Irun in the semifinal round. Game 2 takes place on Thursday in Barcelona, before the series shifts to Salamanca on Sunday. Upon the playoffs' conclusion, Martinez will start workouts with the Spanish national team for the runup to Sao Paulo in September.

To the BEST Fans in the WNBA!

Your 2006 Season Tickets will be in tomorrow (Tuesday, May 2) morning's mail.

Enclosed with your tickets will be a letter informing you of a number of things, including how to access your free exhibition tickets online.

Can you believe we're only 23 days away?!?!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Go Lynx!
Nicole