Minnesota Defeats Tulsa With Offensive Firepower

Candace Wiggins scored 17 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter as the Minnesota Lynx used a 14-0 run in the final period to put away the Tulsa Shock, 107-86.

The game started at 11:30 a.m., something the players were not really accustomed to.

"You're just rolling out of bed and getting ready to play," Minnesota forward Seimone Augustus said. "Everybody had to take that extra step to get warmed up."

Despite the early start, the teams were on fire from the floor throughout the entire game.

The 107 points scored by the Lynx were the most scored in the WNBA this season. The Lynx also shot a WNBA record 69.5 percent from the field, hitting 41 of 59 shots. The combined shooting percentage of the two teams of 58.5 percent is also a WNBA record.

"(Minnesota) is really good," Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "They shot 70 percent. It is tough when teams are making tough shots like that. That type of percentage is going to be difficult to overcome for anybody."

Ivory Latta scored 25 points to lead the Shock for a fourth consecutive game. Roneeka Hodges added 14 points, and Kayla Pedersen chipped in 12.

"They really executed their offense down the stretch," Latta said. "We had some ‘fall aparts' in our defense, which we can't let happen on a team like that. We've got to get ready and regroup."

Maya Moore added 24 and Augustus scored 17 points for the Lynx, who improved to 14-4 this season.

The Shock started the game well, going on a 7-0 to begin the game, and led 30-25 after the first quarter. Minnesota responded by going on a 10-2 run to start the second quarter to take a 35-32 lead. Shock battled back to lead at 39-37, but that would be the last time the Shock had the lead.

After leading 51-46 at halftime, the Lynx continued to hold off every Shock rally. Twice, Tulsa rallied within a single point, but the Lynx were able to counter every run the Shock made at the lead.

"We know that when we play Tulsa it is going to be a really hard game and you have to stay the course," Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. "We had a couple turnovers and (Tulsa) got their wheels rolling; anytime there was an open three they knocked it down. "

The decisive run came at the 8:20 mark of the fourth quarter. After a Pedersen layup cut the lead to 80-77, the Lynx went on a 14-0 run to lead 94-77 with 5:29 left to play. The Shock couldn't recover from the onslaught.

The two teams play again on Thursday in Minnesota with tip time set for noon CST.