Coach Cheryl Reeve Says WNBA Title ‘Stolen’ From Lynx Amid Officiating Complaints

NEW YORK – Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said the WNBA championship was “stolen” from the Lynx during her complaints about Sunday night’s officiating.

The New York Liberty beat the Lynx 67-62 in Game 5 in overtime, getting there after a controversial foul gave Breanna Stewart two game-tying free throws with 5.2 seconds left in regulation.

“We know we could have done some things, okay, but you shouldn’t overshoot to this point,” Reeve said. “That’s not that hard. Refereeing isn’t that hard.”

Reeve, who has led the Lynx to four WNBA championships and coached the U.S. women to an Olympic gold medal this summer in Paris, said she was aware there would be headlines about her complaint.

“Bring it,” he said, “because we were robbed of this . . .”

The Liberty made 25 free throws, while the Lynx went 7-of-8. Minnesota had 21 fouls to New York’s 17, with All-Star forward Napheesa Collier the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Reeve took particular issue with fouling Alanna Smith with Minnesota leading 60-58. Stewart got into the lane and appeared to make the shot before there was any contact. The Lynx challenged the call, but it was upheld after video review.

Reeve called the contact “marginal at best.”

“That’s bullshit,” she said, after mentioning the officiating in Minnesota’s loss in the 2016 WNBA Finals. “That’s for a championship, for both teams. Let them decide. Contact is legal it should be the same for both teams.”

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball