Minnesota Holds On, Continue Record Start.

The first matchup of two unbeaten teams from the WNBA, NBA, NFL, MLB or NHL with each team having at least 10 wins, no losses and no ties - Elias Sports (Juan Ocampo/Getty Images)

In the most anticipated game of the season the undefeated Minnesota Lynx traveled to Los Angeles to take on the undefeated Sparks. The game was played on the 20th anniversary of the inaugural WNBA game that Los Angeles lost 67-57 to New York in 1997. The Lynx are the defending champions; they have won three out of the last five WNBA titles and are off the WNBA’s best regular season start in history. Led by Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles the Lynx faced their toughest game of the young season on the road in L.A.

On a conference call Monday both coaches expressed the importance of depth and how bench players were going to need to step up in this game in particular. Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve mentioned Jia Perkins and Natasha Howard both of whom combined for 20 points, eight rebounds and five steals. For L.A’s Brian Agler the Sparks bench did not get the message, totaling only 10 points, eight of which came from Jantel Lavender.

The game was close throughout with both teams exchanging the lead 17 times. Los Angeles took their biggest lead, 54-47, in the third quarter before the Lynx scored seven straight to tie the game. Into the fourth both teams continued to trade baskets, Minnesota stuck to the game plan and executed, although Moore and Fowles struggled on the floor the bench jumped into action. Moore would leave in the fourth with a left thigh injury.

Seimone Augustus played a team high 30 minutes and led the team with 13 points on the afternoon. Renee Montgomery also played an important role with Moore on the bench in the fourth quarter. With the game tied, Lindsay Whalen drove to the basket and found Montgomery open in the corner for the game-winner that lifted the Lynx to a 72-69 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks at the Staples Center.

Kristi Toliver did her best to keep the Sparks in it with a game high 20 points; making four three pointers but missed an opportunity to tie the game as time expired. However, It would have been a two pointer.

Minnesota vs. L.A Highlights (WNBA/Youtube)

The bench and the rebounding battle gave Minnesota the edge in this one and with stars like Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles not playing their best, the Lynx still found a way to win.

''This is what you play for, fun games between two competitive teams,'' Moore said. ''It was a fun game to be a part of and so many people were tuning in just because of how well we have been playing to this point. You saw two excellent teams going at it, we didn't necessarily get the offensive flow as much but we had big moments from different people at different times to where you can really see the determination from everyone on the court.''

The two teams will meet again in Minnesota on Friday! Will L.A get some redemption? We shall see!