Minnesota Lynx's Maya Moore, center, shoots as Connecticut Sun's Chiney Ogwumike, left, and Camille Little defend during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Alyssa Thomas scored 15 points to lead the Connecticut Sun to an 84-80 victory over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx on Friday night in the WNBA's return from the Olympic break.
Jasmine Thomas scored the tiebreaking basket with 15.2 seconds to play and finished with 12 points, and Alex Bentley and reserve Courtney Williams also had 12 points for the Sun (9-16) in their third straight victory. Chiney Ogwumike had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Seimone Augustus pulled second-ranked Minnesota (21-5), which had four players and coach Cheryl Reeve with the champion U.S. team in Rio, into a tie with a tough baseline jumper with 1:03 to play.
Then 5-foot-9 Jasmine Thomas responded with a baseline jumper of her own over 6-2 Rebekkah Brunson, making it 82-80. Maya Moore, who scored 40 points for the Lynx the last time the two teams played, then shot an airball on a 3-pointer.
The Sun followed with a miss, but Ogwumike grabbed the rebound and that led to a free throw from Camille Little at 17 seconds. After a turnover by Lindsay Whalen, Bentley iced it with a free throw at 7.2 seconds.
Whalen and Syliva Fowles had 16 apiece for Minnesota but Moore, fourth in the league at 19.4 points a game, was held to eight and 3-for-12 shooting.
Connecticut Sun's Alex Bentley, right, shoots over Minnesota Lynx' Maya Moore, left, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut Sun's Jasmine Thomas, left, shoots over Minnesota Lynx' Renee Montgomery during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Connecticut Sun's Alex Bentley, left, reaches for a loose ball against Minnesota Lynx's Seimone Augustus, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Minnesota Lynx's Rebekkah Brunson, left, is pressured by Connecticut Sun's Camille Little during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut Sun coach Curt Miller reacts during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Minnesota Lynx's Maya Moore, left, pressures Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Connecticut Sun's Alex Bentley, left, celebrates with teammate Jasmine Thomas during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, center, and assistant coach Jim Petersen, left, watch play during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press