Moore’s 19 points lead Lynx past Mercury

Sep 24, 2015, 7:33 PM | Updated: 7:36 pm

Phoenix Mercury guard Marta Xargay (10) tries to pass the ball to teammate forward Candice Dupree (4) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Lynx, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Maya Moore scored 19 points and Rebekkah Brunson had a franchise playoff-record 19 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Lynx to a 67-60 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in the opener of the Western Conference finals Thursday night.

Seimone Augustus added 14 points for Minnesota, which trailed early, but used a big second quarter run to take over the game and led throughout the second half.

Dewanna Bonner led Phoenix with 21 points, including a pair of long-range 3-pointers in the final minute, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 64-60 with 38.5 seconds to play. But Moore hit two free throws as the Lynx moved within a win of a trip to the WNBA Finals.

Candice Dupree had a team-high 12 rebounds for Phoenix, but was assessed a technical foul in the fourth quarter for protesting a call.

Game 2 in the best-of-three series is Sunday in Phoenix.

Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles (34) shoots the ball against Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson (32) drives the ball around Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus (33) snags a rebound ball from Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles (34) blocks the shot of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus (33) protects the ball against the defense of Phoenix Mercury guard DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx guard Anna Cruz (51) drives the ball around Phoenix Mercury guard Marta Xargay (10) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Phoenix Mercury guard Marta Xargay (10) tries to pass the ball to teammate forward Candice Dupree (4) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Lynx, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson (32) goes up to the basket past Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson (32) grabs a rebound ball from Phoenix Mercury forward Candice Dupree (4) during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 67-60. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Phoenix Mercury forward Monique Currie (25) drives the ball around Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus (33) during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 67-60. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore, center, celebrates with her team after a foul was called against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 67-60. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Phoenix Mercury guard Marta Zargay (10) drives the ball around Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson (32) during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 67-60. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Phoenix Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello shouts to her team during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Lynx, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 67-60. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) is blocked by the defense of Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, left, and forward Rebekkah Brunson (32) during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference finals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 67-60. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

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