Lynx hold off Storm 78-70 behind Collier’s double-double

SEATTLE — Napheesa Collier had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Kayla McBride added 21 points and the Minnesota Lynx held off the Seattle Storm 78-70 on Friday night.

Collier scored 17 points in the first half and McBride added 10 to help Minnesota build a 46-39 lead. McBride’s fast-break layup extended Minnesota’s lead to 52-41 early in the third quarter. McBride also made a step-back 3-pointer to make it 67-52 with 7:18 left in the fourth.

Minnesota was called for a flagrant foul with 59.1 seconds remaining and Seattle guard Sami Whitcomb made two free throws to get to 75-68. Seattle star Jewell Loyd tried to make it a five-point possession but her contested 3-pointer didn’t hit the rim.

Also, Tiffany Mitchell had 14 points for Minnesota (15-16).

Whitcomb finished with 23 points and five 3-pointers for Seattle (9-22). Loyd, the WNBA’s scoring leader at 24.1 points per game, made just 5 of 19 shots for 15 points. Ezi Magbegor scored 10 of her 13 points in the first half.

Minnesota hosts Seattle on Sunday before playing two straight games against the Dallas Wings.

LYNX 78, STORM 70

MINNESOTA (78) — Collier 7-15 10-11 24, Miller 3-9 0-0 7, Shepard 0-2 0-0 0, McBride 7-16 4-4 21, Mitchell 6-11 1-2 14, Carleton 1-1 0-0 3, Juhász 3-6 1-1 7, Milic 0-1 0-0 0, Banham 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 28-64 16-18 78.

SEATTLE (70) — Horston 3-9 0-0 6, Magbegor 5-9 2-6 13, Fankam Mendjiadeu 2-3 0-0 4, Loyd 5-19 4-4 15, Whitcomb 7-12 4-4 23, Holmes 1-6 2-3 4, Russell 1-3 0-0 2, Melbourne 0-1 0-0 0, Nurse 1-6 0-0 3. Totals 25-68 12-17 70.

Minnesota 23 23 18 14—78

Seattle 18 21 11 20—70

3-Point Goals—Minnesota 6-21 (McBride 3-10, Carleton 1-1, Miller 1-2, Mitchell 1-3, Banham 0-1, Collier 0-2, Juhász 0-2), Seattle 8-27 (Whitcomb 5-8, Magbegor 1-2, Nurse 1-5, Loyd 1-8, Holmes 0-2, Horston 0-2). Fouled Out—Magbegor. Rebounds—Minnesota 36 (Juhász 12), Seattle 33 (Magbegor 7). Assists—Minnesota 17 (Collier, Juhász, McBride 4), Seattle 16 (Whitcomb 3). Total Fouls—Minnesota 18, Seattle 17. A—8,865.