ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Chicago Sky ended the Lynx's three-game winning streak, beating the team with the best WNBA record 90-83 on Friday night at Allstate Arena despite Maya Moore's 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Maya Moore scores 29 in Lynx loss at Chicago
The Chicago Sky ended the Lynx's three-game winning streak, beating the team with the best WNBA record 90-83 on Friday night at Allstate Arena despite Maya Moore's 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
By NEWS SERVICES
![Maya Moore scored 29 points in a losing effort on Friday.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EA222UJ5YT7HUJ26LKWEG6NR4I.jpg?&w=712)
Chicago (7-5) countered with big games from two of its stars. Guard Cappie Pondexter and forward Elena Delle Donne, who was averaging a league-high 27.2 points, had 24 points apiece.
The Lynx (8-3) had won seven of their past nine meetings with the Sky. This was the first game of six in a 13-day stretch for the Lynx before All-Star break.
The Lynx built an early 18-9 lead before Pondexter scored eight points in the last 3 minutes, 43 seconds to get the Sky within 22-19 by the end of the opening quarter. Jessica Breland's jumper gave the home team its first lead at 23-22 early in the second quarter.
Seven more lead changes followed in the quarter, which ended with Minnesota ahead 40-38 on a putback by Spaniard Anna Cruz, who was playing in her first game for the Lynx. Cruz had six points and four rebounds in 13 minutes.
The third quarter ended with Chicago ahead 60-59 in the seesaw game and Minnesota was that close only because of Moore's three three-pointers.
But midway through the fourth, the Sky began to pull away. Pondexter hit back-to-back three-pointers to give Chicago a 79-71 lead. After two baskets by Moore, Pondexter was fouled on a three-pointer and made all three free throws for an 82-76 lead with 2:26 left. Chicago made eight of 10 free throws the rest of the way.
Moore, who had 25 points the second half, gave the Lynx hope again with her fifth three-pointer of the game — she attempted a team record 14 — closing Chicago's lead to 87-84 with 55 seconds left.
But Courtney Vandersloot made two free throws for the Sky and Delle Donne blocked Moore's final three-point attempt with 39 seconds to seal the outcome.
The Sky shot 50.8 percent — a season high for a Lynx opponent.
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The Lynx, who have won nine of their past 10 games, are 3-0 vs. Washington this season.