Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Maya Moore, the 2014 WNBA MVP, scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Minnesota Lynx to an 88-84 win over the San Antonio Stars in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal on Thursday.
Moore, who was named the league's most valuable player earlier in the day, added seven assists, six rebounds and three steals in the win.
Seimone Augustus tallied 16 points and Lindsay Whalen supplied 10 points and 11 assists for Minnesota, which took four of five meetings in the regular season against the Stars.
The Lynx, who are in search of their third WNBA title in four seasons, ended the regular campaign on a seven-game winning streak.
Kayla McBride paced the visitors with a 20-point effort and Becky Hammon netted 17 points in the setback. Danielle Adams recorded a 12-point, 10- rebound double-double.
Game 2 is Saturday in San Antonio.
The hosts led 65-53 after the third quarter, but an 18-2 run from San Antonio early in the fourth gave it a 73-72 lead.
Moore answered with a layup that jumpstarted a 10-4 run that Augustus capped with a jumper with just over a minute to play. Hammon knocked down a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left to cut the deficit to two, however, Whalen hit two free throws before Hammon converted a layup with just a second on the clock as the Lynx held on.
Earlier, Minnesota grabbed a 24-16 lead after the first quarter and brought a 40-30 lead into the locker room at the half.
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