Lynx fall to Starzz

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Recently relegated to the role of spoiler, the Minnesota Lynx failed to drag Utah into the ranks of WNBA teams not headed for the league's third round of postseason play, losing Wednesday to the Starzz 72-62 at Target Center.

Minnesota, which has four games left, was knocked out of playoff contention Tuesday night when the Phoenix Mercury beat the Orlando Miracle, 84-to-77.

"I'm looking forward to the next four games, not because it's the end of the season, but because it's a chance to lay a foundation for the future," coach Brian Agler said.

The Utah Starzz started slowly but stayed in the hunt for a playoff berth. Jennifer Azzi scored a season-high 20 points and added seven assists. Natalie Williams, averaging a league-leading 12.3 rebounds per game, grabbed 11 rebounds and scored nine points for Utah (16-12).

It was the first time the Starzz had beaten Minnesota at Target Center in four chances.

"This team's had some trouble winning here," said Azzi, a guard. "It's a tough place to win, but we are playing well and we expected to come in and play well."

After the Lynx (13-15) took an early 8-1 lead, Utah outscored them 31-14 on the way to taking a 32-22 lead at the half. The Lynx scored just five points in the final 10 1/2 minutes of the half.

UTAH (72)

Goodson 5-13 3-4 14, N.Williams 1-7 7-8 9, Dydek 1-7 3-4 5, Azzi 7-11 3-4 20, Hlede 5-10 1-1 15, Johnson 1-3 0-0 3, Herrig 2-3 0-0 4, Frese 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 22-54 19-23 72.

MINNESOTA (62)

K.Smith 6-14 2-2 15, Dickerson 2-5 5-6 9, Martin 5-12 0-2 11, Lennox 8-17 2-2 21, Paye 1-2 2-2 5, Brumfield 0-2 1-2 1, Daley 0-0 0-0 0, Folkl 0-1 0-2 0, Potthoff 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-53 12-18 62.

Utah 32 40 -- 72

Minnesota 22 40 -- 62

3-Point Goals--Utah 9-14 (Hlede 4-6, Azzi 3-4, Goodson 1-2, Johnson 1-2), Minnesota 6-17 (Lennox 3-6, Paye 1-2, Martin 1-4, K.Smith 1-5). Fouled out--N.Williams, Dickerson. Rebounds--Utah 44 (N.Williams 11), Minnesota 29 (Dickerson, Martin 5). Assists--Utah 16 (Azzi 7), Minnesota 11 (Lennox 3). Total fouls--Utah 23, Minnesota 25. A--7,015