Lynx halt Storm’s 13-game streak

MINNEAPOLIS – Seimone Augustus scored 24 points and the Minnesota Lynx snapped the Seattle Storm’s 13-game winning streak with a 72-71 victory Sunday night.

Augustus scored six quick points early in the fourth quarter to extend Minnesota’s dwindling lead and became the second-fastest player in WNBA history to reach 2,500 career points, behind only Cynthia Cooper. Charde Houston added 14 points and Lindsay Whalen 11 as the Lynx (8-16) ended a five-game losing skid.

Sue Bird scored 16 points and Tanisha Wright added 15 for Seattle (22-3), which saw its franchise-best winning streak end. Lauren Jackson, the league’s second-leading scorer, finished with 12 points after leaving the game in the second quarter with a sprained left thumb. She returned midway through the third, but seemed bothered by the taped-up thumb.

Playing Minnesota has been a challenge for Seattle. The Storm won the first two contests by a total of just five points. Seattle appeared ready to add to its franchise-record winning streak and keep pace with the 1998 Houston Comets for the best start in WNBA history with a 25-2 start.

The Storm led 15-4 out of the gate, but Minnesota stayed within range and used a 9-0 run to take a 36-27 lead.

Seattle slowly cut the deficit in the second half, and Bird’s jumper with 18 seconds remaining tied the score at 71.

Augustus missed a jumper on the other end, but Minnesota’s Nicky Anosike grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. She made 1 of 2 from the free-throw line and Bird’s final attempt bounced off the rim.