ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) Courtney Vandersloot hit two free throws to force overtime and Cappie Pondexter made a go-ahead layup with 21.3 seconds left to help the Chicago Sky beat the Minnesota Lynx 98-97 on Tuesday night.
The Sky (17-15) moved into fourth in the WNBA standings, which comes with a first-round bye in the playoffs. Chicago has two games left this season.
The Sky also hosted 50 Cent after rookie Imani Boyette used social media to campaign for the rapper to come to a WNBA game. Actress Sophia Bush also watched Chicago's win.
Minnesota (26-6) took an 86-83 lead with 6.1 seconds left in regulation and the Lynx fouled Vandersloot intentionally in the backcourt. She made the first free throw and purposely missed the second. She grabbed the rebound, was fouled again and hit two free throws with 2.7 seconds left. Janel McCarville's shot was blocked at the buzzer.
In overtime, Pondexter split two defenders in the lane to help Chicago to a 96-95 lead. After Minnesota jumped back in front on a McCarville basket, Pondexter made another layup in traffic for a 98-97 lead. Minnesota's Renee Montgomery was called for traveling with 1.4 seconds left.
Pondexter scored 24 points and Vandersloot had 18 for sixth-ranked Chicago. The Sky played without the reigning MVP Elena Delle Donne, who had surgery Tuesday to repair her injured right thumb.
Maya Moore scored 22 of her 27 points after halftime for top-ranked Minnesota.
