Fourth-quarter surge lifts Lynx over Mystics

Napheesa Collier scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx surged in the fourth quarter for a 79-68 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Courtney Williams added 14 points for Minnesota (18-8), which won its first game following a monthlong break for the Olympics. Alanna Smith chipped in 12 points and eight boards.

Ariel Atkins scored 12 points to lead Washington (6-20). Brittney Sykes finished with 11 points in her return from a foot injury, and Jade Melbourne scored 10 off the bench.

The Lynx went on a 10-2 run to take control late in the fourth quarter.

Aaliyah Edwards made a layup for the Mystics to even the score at 63-63 with 6:04 left.

Williams hit a 3-pointer for Minnesota to make it 66-63 and to start the decisive scoring run. Collier followed with back-to-back baskets before Washington's Shakira Austin made a jump shot to cut the deficit to 70-65.

Then, with 1:36 to go, Kayla McBride hit a 3-pointer to give Minnesota its largest lead of the game at that point at 73-65. Washington pulled back within five points before the Lynx put the game out of reach.

The score was tied at 58-58 entering the fourth quarter.

Neither team led by more than five points during a highly competitive third quarter. Minnesota led by two points in the final minute before Melbourne made a basket off an assist from Shatori Walker-Kimbrough to erase the deficit.

The Mystics led 37-35 at the half. Sykes and Melbourne shared the team lead with eight points apiece at the break.

Collier had 13 of Minnesota's 35 points in the first half.

The Lynx led 18-15 at the end of the first quarter. Dorka Juhasz capped the scoring with a pair of free throws with 3.1 seconds left in the quarter.

The Mystics posted a 22-17 advantage in the second quarter to secure a two-point halftime lead. Stefanie Dolson drained a 3-pointer and Austin added a two-point basket in the final minute to put Washington on top.

--Field Level Media