Lynx Win Playoff Opener

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hours after being named the WNBA's most valuable player, Maya Moore scored 24 points to help

the defending champion Minnesota Lynx beat the San Antonio Stars 88-84 Thursday night in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals.

Down by 15 points with 9 minutes remaining, the Stars went on an 18-2 run to take a 73-73 lead with 4:12 to play. However, Seimone Augustus scored six of her 16 points in the final 2:11 as Minnesota pulled out the win.

Game 2 of the best-of-3 series is at San Antonio on Saturday night.

Kayla McBride scored 21 points to lead the Stars. Becky Hammon scored 14 of her 17 in the second half, including a spinning shot with 1.9 seconds left that pulled the Stars within two.

However, Moore made two free throws with 1.3 seconds left and the Lynx beat the Stars for the 18th time in 21 meetings.