Maya Moore scores 34, defending WNBA champion Lynx fend off Mystics 89-77

WASHINGTON – Reigning finals MVP Maya Moore scored 34 points and had nine rebounds as the defending champion Minnesota Lynx opened the WNBA season with an 89-77 win over the Washington Mystics on Friday night.

Seimone Augustus added 24 points for the Lynx. Minnesota led by 17 in the first half, but trailed for the first and last time at 66-65 early in the fourth quarter. Moore's 3-point play with 8:14 started an 11-1 run.

Ivory Latta scored 25 points with a career-high seven 3-pointers including six straight in the second half for the Mystics. Washington's reserves, led by Tierra Ruffin-Pratt's 17 points, outscored Minnesota's 33-6.

Lindsay Whalen had 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Lynx.

Moore finished one point shy of her career high.