The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Indiana Fever in a decisive game 5 of the WNBA finals 52-69. This is the third championship the franchise has won in five years.
Center Sylvia Fowles led the Lynx in scoring with 20 points; forward Rebekkah Brunson controlled the boards with 14 rebounds and contributed 10 points, according to the WNBA.
Fowles was named finals MVP, the Lynx’s “suffocating defense” was a prime factor to their victory.
The Indiana Fever struggled with foul trouble and 19 turnovers. Guard Briann January, center Erlana Larkins and guard Shavonte Zellous earned fouls. Veteran Tamika Catchings had a stellar performance with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
In the first quarter, both teams took turns scoring; the quarter ended with the Fever up 17-15. However, Indiana went cold offensively, only scoring 4 points total in the second quarter. Minnesota earned 12 points, putting them ahead 27-21 at the half, according to the WNBA.
The beginning of the third quarter consisted of a shower of missed shoots from both teams until guard Seimone Augustus sank a jump shot to secure a ten-point lead for the Lynx. The Fever could not fix their deficit and the Lynx continued to find offensive opportunities.
Indiana woke up in the fourth quarter, rallying to close a 19-point deficit. The Lynx slowed down offensively, but maintained control of the game until the end.
Perks of winning the championship included a call from president Barack Obama, a private Prince concert and a parade in Minneapolis, according to WNBA.
“President Obama called Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve to congratulate her and the Lynx on their victory in the Women’s National Basketball Association Finals,” The White House said in a statement. “The President recognized the team’s talented players and noted that this win was the culmination of an impressive season.”
