Resilient Lynx Even Series With Big Win Over Sparks

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Any elite athlete or team wants to be challenged – to be under the bright lights to see how they respond.

This group of Minnesota Lynx players has been there a lot. They have won championships, but they are never satisfied. It's not in their makeup. `

So bouncing back from a rare home playoff loss was just the next obstacle for them and did they ever respond Tuesday night.

"This team bounces back well and you can't stay down for too long when you're on this team," Maya Moore said. "So that's what I kind of took on personally today was just I'm going to bring more energy than last game. And it was contagious for me, from other players who brought energy."

The crowd of Target Center was into it from the opening tap and when the Lynx went on a 17-3 run to end the first half, you had the sense the Lynx were dialed in from start to finish.

But despite the total team effort, led by Moore, the Sparks did not go quietly into the night, going on a 14-0 run of their own, cutting the lead to 44-41. But this isn't a team that is going to panic.

The defense was the key, as head coach Cheryl Reeve talked about, and what was lacking when they gave up 78 points in game one.

The final Tuesday night: 79-60, tying the best of five series at one game apiece. The series goes to LA for the next two starting Friday night.