​MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kayla McBride poured in 14 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter as the Minnesota Lynx slipped past the New York Liberty 90-85 on Saturday, with Olivia Miles contributing 23 points after missing two games. Natasha Howard added 16 points for the Lynx (17-6), who snapped a 13-point defeat to New York eight days earlier. Courtney Williams contributed 12 points for Minnesota.
For the Liberty (13-10), Sabrina Ionescu led the way with 25 points as New York lost for the fourth time in five games. Breanna Stewart finished with 17 points, Jonquel Jones had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Marine Johannes provided 14 points off the bench.
Miles, returning from a calf injury, registered a key steal with 1:21 remaining as Minnesota held an 86-83 edge. Courtney Williams and McBride each corralled offensive rebounds before Miles nailed two free throws to push the lead to 88-83 with 53 seconds left. Miles later missed a pair of free throws with 42 seconds to go, but the Lynx still held on.
New York answered with a Jones basket before Williams hit a jumper just before the clock expired. Although she missed, Miles secured the rebound and added two more free throws with eight seconds left to seal the win for Minnesota.
The Lynx surged to a 12-2 burst to end the first quarter, building a 17-13 lead. Miles supplied 11 points in the second period as Minnesota went ahead 42-32 at halftime. Ionescu took over in the third quarter, scoring 19 points as the Liberty outscored the Lynx 30-19. A McBride jumper gave Minnesota a 56-41 cushion midway through the period, but Johannes answered with back-to-back 3-pointers as New York stormed back to take a 62-61 lead entering the fourth.
Looking ahead, Liberty head to Toronto on Sunday. The Lynx return home Monday to host Phoenix.