ESPN.com - WNBA - Sales keeps Miracle in playoff hunt

 
Sales keeps Miracle in playoff hunt

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Nykesha Sales had 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Orlando Miracle beat the Minnesota Lynx 71-49 Saturday night.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 10 points and nine rebounds, and Elaine Powell scored 12 points for the Miracle (8-13).

Orlando (8-13) moved within one game of Charlotte in the race for the fourth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Minnesota (7-13) lost its fourth straight game and wasted a 27-point performance by rookie forward Svetlana Abrosimova.

The Miracle opened the game with an 8-2 run. Abrosimova converted a three-point play as Minnesota closed within one point, 10-9.

Orlando responded with another 8-2 run, highlighted by five points by Powell. Minnesota cut its deficit to 24-21 on a jumper by Georgia Schweitzer.

The Miracle then scored eight straight points and built their lead to 36-27 by the break.

Orlando used an 8-2 run early in the second half, capped by a pair of jumpers by Sales, to push its lead to 44-29 with 16:29 left.

The Miracle extended their advantage to 24 points in the second half and finished with their largest margin of victory of the season.
 

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