Williams, Collier lead the way as the Lynx topple the Storm 82-77 in early West showdown

MINNEAPOLIS AP Courtney Williams scored points Napheesa Collier had points and rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx held on to beat the Seattle Storm - on Tuesday night in a matchup of early season leaders in the Western Conference The Lynx extended their season-opening winning streak to five games and welcomed the return of Kayla McBride who missed the first four games for personal reasons Minnesota led by double digits early before Seattle s Dominique Malonga scored to open the fourth quarter and pulled the Storm within - The Lynx maintained their lead and consecutive -pointers by Williams and Alanna Smith made it - near the four-minute mark Williams hit a couple of pull-up jumpers for a - lead with two minutes left Seattle scored the next four points and it was - with seconds remaining McBride added four free throws and Minnesota led - with seconds remaining Erica Wheeler hit a for Seattle Collier added two more free throws for the Lynx and the Storm turned it over on their final possession Alanna Smith scored points and McBride added for Minnesota Collier also had five rebounds and five steals Gabby Williams scored points Skylar Diggins added Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler for Seattle - The Lynx hit six of their first seven shots and led - after minutes McBride made her first two shots in that sequence both -pointers Minnesota led - at the end of the quarter and - at halftime Late in the third quarter Gabby Williams converted a three-point play and Diggins added two free throws to get Seattle within - with three minutes left in the quarter Minnesota led - heading to the fourth Up next Minnesota visits Phoenix on Friday Seattle hosts Atlanta on Friday AP WNBA https apnews com hub wnba-basketball Source