Posted at: 09/28/2012 10:44 PM

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Whalen scores 20 to lead Lynx past Storm 78-70

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Lindsay Whalen scored 20 points, Seimone Augustus had 19 and the defending champion Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 78-70 in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals Friday night.

Maya Moore added 16 points and Rebekkah Brunson had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Lynx. Whalen also had six assists and four rebounds.

Rookie reserve Shekinna Stricklen had 13 points to lead Seattle. Katie Smith and Lauren Jackson added 12 points each.

Seattle twice rallied to pull within six points in the final 12 minutes, but Minnesota - 16-1 at home in the regular season,- pulled away again each time.

Game 2 is Sunday at Seattle.

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