Uncasville, Conn. ? Connecticut rookie Lindsay Whalen played with the guile of a veteran Friday, leading the Sun to a 68-64 victory over the Seattle Storm in the opening game of the WNBA Finals.

Whalen set a team playoff mark with nine assists, had 11 points, two steals, two blocked shots and helped shut down Seattle guard Sue Bird.

Katie Douglas led Connecticut with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting and made two free throws with 16 seconds left.

Betty Lennox had 17 points for Seattle and Jackson finished with 16. Jackson scored six in the closing minutes.