Recharged Lynx dominate Mystics in semifinals game one, 101-81

Minneapolis – Seimone Augustus erupted for 24 points to lead the Minnesota Lynx past the Washington Mystics, 101-81, in dominating fashion Tuesday in the first round of the WNBA semifinals.

Most Valuable Player candidate Sylvia Fowles and Renee Montgomery each added 18 points and Maya Moore, 14 in a dominating performance that saw the return of point guard Lindsay Whalen to the starting lineup. The Lynx struggled over the last month after Whalen had been forced to sit with a broken hand bone.

Elena Delle Donne scored 17 points for the Mystics and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, 16. Kristi Toliver, who led Washington past the New York Liberty with 32 points in Sunday’s second round, had just three points against Minnesota.

Minnesota shot 59 percent from the field and set a new playoff record for the franchise with 12 three-point shots, which helped balloon their lead to as much as 29 points in the third quarter.

The two teams face off in game two Thursday.

Sylvia Fowles guards Emma Meesseman. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Kristi Toliver drives to the rack. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Elena Delle Donne initiates the drive past Maya Moore. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Elena Delle Donne elevates to score. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Emma Meesseman debates her passing options. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Elena Delle Donne looks to get past Sylvia Fowles. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Maya Moore shoots from long-range. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Lindsay Whalen looks to pass out of the Mystics defense. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Sylvia Fowles uses a hook shot to get past Krystal Thomas. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Kristi Toliver defends Seimone Augustus. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Sylvia Fowles sizes up the shot. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.

Jia Perkins shoots over Tierra Ruffin-Pratt. Photo by Brian Few Jr./TGSportsTV1.