Maya Moore is making a claim to repeat as MVP with her season-high 32-point, 10 rebound performance in Minnesota's victory over Tulsa on Sunday.
The Lynx, who hold the league's best record, came out on top of the 79-72 match up at the BOK Center even without key players, Seimone Augustus and Monica Wright, who were both sidelined due to knee injuries.
"Our game plan is always the same," said Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx. "I think over the last week or two, we have tried to be more intentional about being aggressive in transition and moving the ball and getting a lot of good flow."
However, at the end of the first quarter, it was Tulsa that came out with the strong start, up by seven heading into the second.
"I thought we came out for a good, solid three-quarters. Actually, I'd say two-and-a-half," said Fred Williams, head coach of the Tulsa Shock. "First quarter, we really came out well."
Tulsa's Plenette Pierson led both teams with eight points after the first, she would continue on for 12 points at the half. Odyssey Sims followed with 10 of her own to help secure the 34-27 lead going into the third. Sims ended the game with 12 points, and Riquna Williams added 19.
"[The Lynx] just came out aggressive in the third quarter," said Pierson, who ended the game with 15 points. "They came out and Maya [Moore] woke up and got going."
The reigning MVP was held to only two points in the first half, but erupted early in the third. Moore went on a seven-point run including Minnesota's first long bomb of the game, aiding the team's 9-0 run.
"You can't hold a great player down for very long," said coach Reeve.
Moore ended the third with 16 points and Rebekkah Brunson had already reached double-double stats heading into the final quarter. She would finish the game with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Minnesota's Asjha Jones contributed 16 points to the victory.
But it was Moore's 30-point second half basketball clinic that stole the show.
"She was hot tonight, it was hard for them to stop her, so we just wanted to put her in a position where she continued to score," said Brunson.
The Lynx hope to continue their hot streak on July 21 when they face the Connecticut Sun. Tulsa will lace up the same day when they face the Washington Mystics.