Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Minnesota won its first game under coach Suzie McConnell Serio.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Using a casino for a homecourt, women's professional basketball returned to Connecticut after a five-year absence Saturday. Unfortunately for the fans, the first opponent was the defending champion Los Angeles Sparks.
Lisa Leslie dominated inside with 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to lead the Sparks to an 82-73 win over the Connecticut Sun.
The state lost its only women's pro franchise when the American Basketball League folded in 1998, taking with it the New England Blizzard, which drew the highest attendance in the league.
The Connecticut team, formerly the Orlando Miracle, made its debut at the Mohegan Sun casino. The team was purchased and relocated by the Mohegan Indian tribe, becoming the first independent owner in the seven-year history of the league.
The resort is hoping to capitalize on the strong interest in women's hoops in Connecticut. Geno Auriemma, coach of the four-time NCAA champion UConn Huskies, and WNBA commissioner Val Ackerman were among the sellout crowd of 9,341.
Mwadi Mabika led Los Angeles with 19 points, while Milton added 17.
Lynx 72, Monarchs 71
MINNEAPOLIS -- Katie Smith made a free throw with 8.7 seconds remaining as Minnesota won its first game under coach Suzie McConnell Serio. Smith, fouled driving into the lane, missed the first free throw before hitting the second to give the Lynx a one-point lead in their season opener. After Sacramento (1-1) missed a 3-pointer, Minnesota's Sheri Sam missed two free throws with four seconds remaining. Sacramento's Yolanda Griffith then missed a 40-footer at the buzzer.
Silver Stars 65, Storm 56
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio won their its WNBA opener, rallying behind Marie Ferdinand's 20-point performance.
The San Antonio franchise was formerly the Utah Starzz. Margo Dydek, the 7-foot-2 center from Poland, added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Silver Stars, and Jennifer Azzi had 11 points. Lauren Jackson scored 15 points for Seattle (0-2) before fouling out. Sue Bird and Kamila Vodichkova each scored 11 points.