Kayla McBride scored 23 points to lift the Minnesota Lynx to an 86-80 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday in Uncasville, Conn.
McBride made 6 of 10 shots from the floor and all nine attempts from the free-throw line for the Lynx (16-6), who rebounded after dropping a 90-89 decision to Connecticut on Monday in Minneapolis. McBride scored a season-high 28 points in that game.
Minnesota’s Natasha Howard collected 12 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday and former Sun player Courtney Williams and Dorka Juhasz each added 12 points.
Cheryl Reeve recorded her 380th regular-season win, the most in WNBA history. She has been the head coach of the Lynx since 2010.
Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles sat out her second consecutive contest with a right calf strain after starting the team’s first 20 games.
Leila Lacan scored 15 points and Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 14 for the Sun (5-17), who played without Brittney Griner. The 6-foot-9 Griner sat out with a left quad strain after scoring a season-high 29 points in Monday’s game.
Sun guard Saniya Rivers exited the floor in a wheelchair after sustaining a left ankle sprain following a drive to the basket early in the second quarter. Rivers, who was fouled by Nia Coffey, did not return to the contest.
Connecticut held a 65-60 lead after three quarters before Minnesota responded with a 16-5 run to start the fourth. Antonia Delaere and Juhasz each sank a 3-pointer to give the Lynx a 76-70 advantage. Gianna Kneepkens converted from beyond the arc to halve the deficit, however Juhasz countered with another 3-pointer.
Diamond Miller drew the Sun to within three after sinking four free throws before Juhasz made her fourth 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds to seal the win.
Williams drained a long jumper to give Minnesota a 41-37 lead with 2:27 to play in the second quarter before the Sun responded with a flourish. Kneepkens sank a 3-pointer, Lacan scored four quick points and Raegan Beers added a free throw to give the Sun a 45-41 advantage at halftime.
–Field Level Media
