Watch CBS News

Prince Scores 26 To Lead Sky Past Lynx, 83-70

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — Epiphanny Prince scored 26 points and Courtney Vandersloot added 17 as the Chicago Sky beat the defending champion Minnesota Lynx 83-70 on Tuesday night.

Carolyn Swords had 11 points and nine rebounds to help the Sky (12-17) pull into a tie with New York for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with five games remaining.

Chicago, vying for the franchise's first postseason berth, was without Olympic center Sylvia Fowles for the second straight game due to a calf strain. Fowles was in street clothes on the bench and her lower left leg in a soft walking cast.

Maya Moore scored 18 points to lead the Lynx (24-5). Rebekkah Brunson had 17 and Candice Wiggins added 14.

The Sky broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter with a 13-3 run over the final 5 minutes. Chicago finished with a 40-18 scoring edge in the paint and had a 31-24 rebounding advantage.

Swin Cash's jumper with 6:50 left gave the Sky a 50-40 lead. Minnesota chipped away and pulled to 52-49 on Moore's 3-pointer with 4:50 to go.

However, the Lynx never got closer as Prince scored 10 points in the period to help the Sky take a 61-55 lead heading to the fourth.

Vandersloot scored eight points in the first quarter, including two 3-pointers — as the Sky led by six points. The Lynx trimmed the lead to 23-22 by the end of the period on Wiggins' 3.

Chicago outscored Minnesota 17-7 in the second quarter — to take a 40-29 lead at the break — partly due to six turnovers by the Lynx. Vandersloot closed with half with 10 points while Sonja Petrovic added nine. Brunson led Minnesota with nine.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.