Jackson Named MVP, Leads Storm Past Mercury in Game One

Lauren Jackson was named as the WNBA Most Valuable Player and she quickly proved his worth when she led the Seattle Storm an 82-74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Game One of the Western Conference Finals.

Jackson, who also won the prestigious award in 2003 and 2007, scored 23 points, bagged 17 rebounds, and posted a double-double with still three minutes left in the first half.

"That's Lauren. That's why she's the MVP -- she can get it done in a variety of ways" said Sue Bird, who tallied seven points and game-high ten assists for the Storm.

"And the way she's getting rebounds ... that's key against this team. Defensively, it doesn't allow them to score or allow them second shots. And offensively, it doesn't allow them to run. So Lauren was huge for us on the boards." she added.

Svetlana Abrosimova added 16 points and collected four boards, while Lecoe Willingham chipped in ten points and added six rebounds for Seattle, which won their 19th straight game at home this season.

Seattle started like a house on fire and posted an early 22-7 lead in the first period, and ended the first half on to by 14 points, 47-33, behind Jackson's 17 points and 12 rebounds.

"She didn't score for the first two or three minutes, but from the middle of the first quarter on into the second, she was really doing some damage inside," said Seattle Head Coach Brian Agler, who was named as the 2010 WNBA Coach of the Year.

Penny Taylor had 16 points and six rebounds, while Candice Dupree added 15 points and 11 rebounds, but Diana Taurasi was not in her usual form after scoring only nine points and was 2-of-15 from the field.

"The last time I saw this from Diana was in 2007. Next game, she came out and had 30-something. I'm not worried about it. It happens." Phoenix Head Coach Corey Gaines said.

The Game of Two of the series will be played in Phoenix on Sunday.