Vandersloot's buzzer-beating game-winner lifts Sky to win over Lynx

Courtney Vandersloot scored 18 points, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer, to help the Chicago Sky edge the Minnesota Lynx 88-85 on Sunday in Chicago.

Chicago inbounded in the frontcourt with 7.6 seconds to go. Vandersloot attempted to drive the right side, was stopped and handed off to Emma Meesseman, got the ball back and hit the winning shot from about 25 feet.

The Sky were missing head coach James Wade, who was out because of health and safety protocols.

Meesseman scored 15 points, Candace Parker 13, Rebekah Gardner 12 and Allie Quigley and Julie Allemand 11 each for the Sky (13-5). Vandersloot added six assists and five rebounds.

Jessica Shepard and Kayla McBride scored 15 points each for the Lynx (5-14). Sylvia Fowles had 12 points, Moriah Jefferson 11 and Canada's Natalie Achonwa 10.

After Parker hit a three-pointer to give Chicago an 81-70 lead with 4:10 to go in the fourth quarter, Shepard led a 9-0 run for Minnesota, hitting a driving layup and a three-pointer before picking up a pair of assists on two layups by Achonwa. Although the Lynx never took the lead, they drew even when McBride was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit all three free throws with 7.6 seconds remaining.

Minnesota went on a 10-0 run in the first quarter to take a 20-18 lead and neither team led by more than three points the remainder of the first half. Vandersloot's three-pointer with 24 seconds left gave Chicago a 46-44 halftime lead. The Lynx shot 67 per cent in the first half to help overcome 11 turnovers.

An 8-0 late in the third quarter resulted in a 69-58 lead for the Sky and they went on to lead 72-62 heading to the fourth.

Sun lock in late to roll past Dream

Courtney Williams scored 17 points, Alyssa Thomas added 15 and the Connecticut Sun held Atlanta to one field goal in the final seven minutes, defeating the Dream 72-61 on Sunday in Atlanta.

Thomas also had 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Sun (13-6). Williams grabbed 10 rebounds and DeWanna Bonner added 12 points.

Aari McDonald had 17 points and Rhyne Howard scored 12 for Atlanta (8-10).

Connecticut led by 11 points heading to the fourth quarter before a three-pointer from McDonald and a pull-up 20-footer by Howard drew the Dream within seven with 7:04 remaining. However, the Dream went the next four minutes without a point and would make one more field goal the rest of the game — a 20-footer by Cheyenne Parker with 1:47 remaining.

Atlanta finished the game at 33 per cent from the field and made just five of 19 three-pointers.

With Connecticut leading 58-51, Natisha Hiedeman hit a three-pointer to put the Sun back up by 10 with 6:34 remaining. Courtney Williams added a three-pointer to extend the lead to 64-51. Those were Connecticut's only two made three-pointers in 20 attempts. The Sun shot 42 per cent overall.

The Sun outscored the Dream 20-5 in the second quarter to build a 39-22 halftime lead.