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Wednesday, Aug. 2 8:00pm ET
Starzz win thanks to early 31-14 run | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Utah Starzz started slowly but stayed in the hunt for a playoff berth with a 72-62 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday night in the Target Center. Jennifer Azzi scored a season-high 20 points and added seven assists. Natalie Williams, averaging a league-leading 12.3 rebounds a game, grabbed 11 rebounds and scored nine points for Utah (16-12). It was the first time the Starzz had beaten Minnesota in Target Center in four chances. "This team's had some trouble winning here," said Azzi, a guard. "It's a tough place to win, but we are playing well and we expected to come in and play well." After the Lynx (13-15) took an early 8-1 lead, Utah outscored them 31-14 on the way to taking a 32-22 lead at the half. The Lynx scored just five points in the final 10½ minutes of the half. For the game, they got just one point from their bench players. "I was disappointed in some stretches of the game. I was disappointed with the bench play tonight," said Minnesota coach Brian Agler. Minnesota and Utah have gone in opposite directions since July 9, when the Lynx were 10-8 and the Starzz 9-10. Minnesota has gone 3-7 and was eliminated from playoff contention. Utah, meanwhile, has gone 7-2 to keep their chances for a playoff berth alive. "We're trying to make a playoff run," Williams said. Williams said rebounding and defense were keys to the Starzz' victory. "We knew it would be a physical game. They double- and triple-team us inside, and we expected it to be like a football game." Minnesota, which has four games left, was knocked out of playoff contention Tuesday night when the Phoenix Mercury beat the Orlando Miracle, 84-77. "I'm looking forward to the next four games, not because it's the end of the season, but because it's a chance to lay a foundation for the future," Agler said. | ALSO SEE WNBA Scoreboard RECAPS Los Angeles 84 Detroit 81
Utah 72
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