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Augustus paces Lynx over Mercury in West Finals opener

Sep 23, 2011 - 3:47 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Maya Moore scored 13 of her 15 points in a dominating first quarter for the Lynx, as they breezed past Phoenix, 95-67, in the opener of their best-of-three Western Conference Finals series.

Seimone Augustus scored 21 points and dished out seven assists, while Rebekkah Brunson ended with 13 points and 13 boards for Minnesota, which dispatched San Antonio in three contests in round one. Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Candice Wiggins each scored 14 for the Lynx.

Diana Taurasi had 22 points to pace the Mercury, who were limited to 35.7 percent shooting. That included a 4-for-20 effort from three-point range. Marie Ferdinand-Harris had 12 points and DeWanna Bonner 11 for Phoenix, which beat Seattle in three games in the West semifinals.

The first quarter was a telling sign of what was to come for the Mercury, who shot 3-of-18 in the period. Brunson's layup capped a game-opening 19-5 burst and the Lynx held a comfortable 28-11 lead after the first stanza.

The Mercury got within seven late in the second on a Ferdinand-Harris three, but Brunson's layup moved the margin to 47-36 at the break.

Phoenix was within six early in the third, but by the end of the period was behind 74-55. Minnesota led by as many as 30 in the fourth.

The series shifts to Phoenx for Game 2 Sunday afternoon.