Vandersloot wins it for Sky with buzzer-beater
Courtney Vandersloot scored 18 points, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, to help the Sky edge the Lynx 88-85 on Sunday at Wintrust Arena.
The Sky 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 without coach James Wade, who missed the game 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 Natalie Achonwa 10.
After Parker hit a 3-pointer to give the Sky an 81-70 lead with 4 minutes, 10 seconds left, Shepard led a 9-0 Lynx run, hitting a driving layup and a 3-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 3-point attempt and hit all three free throws with 7.6 seconds remaining.
The Lynx 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 3-pointer with 24 seconds left gave the Sky a 46-44 halftime lead. The Lynx shot 67% in the first half to help overcome 11 turnovers.
An 8-0 late in the third quarter resulted in a 69-58 advantage for the Sky, and they went on to lead 72-62 heading to the fourth.