Article author:
Reuters
Courtney Vandersloo's three pointers expired on Sunday, allowing Chicago Sky to defeat Chicago's Minnesota Lynx 88-85.
Minnesota (5-14) evened the score at 85 when Keila McBride sank three foul shots with 7.6 seconds remaining after being fouled by Rebecca Gardner. After the sky timed out, Emma Meesseman set up a 25-footer Vandersroot from the right wing.
Vandersroot's best 18 points in the game led six players in double digits in Chicago (13-5). Meesseman finished at 15, and Candace Parker added 13 points and 8 rebounds. Gardner scored 12 points, while Allie Quigley and Julie Alemand scored 11 points each. 10 points from Jefferson and Natalie Akonwa. Lynx lost, despite canning 58.9% of field goal attempts.
When Meesseman canned a short jumper in the lane, Sky led 78-66, leaving 7:18. However, Minnesota ran 13-3, laid up from Akonwa and kept it within 81-79 at 2:09.
Chicago connected in almost 51% of field goal attempts and pulled out 25 assists with 33 made baskets. There were 14 lead changes and 10 ties.
Chicago took an 18-10 lead using a 10-2 first quarter run when Azra Stevens stroked a three-pointer at the 3:07 mark. However, Minnesota finished this period with a 12-2 spurt, and when Shepherd made two free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining, he took the edge of 22-20 in the second period.
The second quarter was classic basketball before and after, with neither team leading more than three-quarters. Vandersroot made his final remark with three pointers with 24.0 seconds remaining, allowing Sky to take advantage of 46-44 in half-time.
Chicago seemed to have some leeway in the second half of the third quarter. Just 61-58 ahead after McBride canned the pull-up jumper, Sky surpassed Lynx 11-4 in the last three minutes. Dana Evans free throws gave 72-62 cushions for the fourth period.
– Field-level media
