Camille Little shoulders load for Storm in 72-69 victory over Minnesota

Laying on the KeyArena court, Storm forward Camille Little kept getting hit. But she didn't really mind.

They were just love taps from teammate Tanisha Wright, who was ecstatic Little had stood her position in taking a charge late in the Storm's 72-69 win against Minnesota on Sunday.

"She was trying to kill me," Little said, laughing. "It was all in love. I'm happy I was there to take it and they didn't score off it and we got the call."

With Seattle leading 70-69 with 6.8 seconds left, Lynx forward Candice Wiggins dropped her shoulder and drove baseline for what she thought would be a game-winning shot. Instead, she ran into Little and was called for a charge.

As the Minnesota bench protested, 6,912 Storm fans released the tension that had built during a tight game with 11 lead changes.

"It was questionable," Lynx coach Jennifer Gillom said of the charge call. "I'll just have to watch film and determine from there. I don't want to say it was a bad call until I watch it. I didn't have a good angle."

Seattle (10-6) snapped a two-game losing skid at KeyArena behind Little's game-high 18 points and seven rebounds. The Storm, which has defeated the Lynx (9-7) eight consecutive times at home, dating to June 2005, took sole possession of second place in the Western Conference with the win.

Most important, the Storm, like the Lynx, is learning how to win without depending on its stars.

The Lynx has played without Seimone Augustus (knee) since June 17. The Storm played its second game without All-Star forward Lauren Jackson (Achilles), and All-Stars Swin Cash and Sue Bird were a combined 1 of 4 from the field in the fourth quarter with two turnovers.

Wright helped pick up the slack, picking off three Minnesota passes into the paint and keeping the ball in her hands — by coach Brian Agler's design — on offense.

Her biggest bucket came after Agler called a timeout with 18.1 seconds left. On an inbounds pass, Wright casually dribbled down court, then split Minnesota defenders Roneeka Hodges and Nicky Anosike to sink a layin that gave Seattle a 70-69 lead.

"He was screaming to hurry it up," Wright said of Agler. "But the more relaxed I am, the better for me."

Wright finished with 15 points and four assists.

The Storm, which trailed by as much as eight (67-59) in the fourth quarter, finished the game on a 13-2 run. A hot-shooting Lynx team cracked under Seattle's increased defensive pressure late, hitting just 33.3 percent from the field in the fourth quarter after shooting 57.5 percent in the first three.

"Camille has been making defensive plays for us since Day 1, especially charges," Bird said. "She's probably the only one, really, who gives up her body like that. And it was literally the last thing Brian said: 'Don't be afraid to make plays, don't be afraid if they drive — take charges.' "

On Sunday, Little was there to do just that.

Note

• Jackson missed her second consecutive game due to a left Achilles strain. She said she's able to walk on the foot, but remains unable to jump. Jackson is hopeful of returning to the lineup against Los Angeles on Wednesday at KeyArena.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com