MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Katie Smith scored 11 of her 27 points in the final six minutes and reserve Sheri Sam added 20 Thursday night as Minnesota rallied for a 77-73 victory over Sacramento.
Minnesota (16-13) moved one game ahead of Sacramento (15-14) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with five games to play. The Lynx also won the season series with the Monarchs, giving them an edge if the teams finish the season with identical records.
Sacramento used a 15-5 run to take its largest lead at 66-56 with 6:18 remaining. Minnesota responded immediately, scoring 21 of the game's final 28 points.
Svetlana Abrosimova scored 13 points for the Lynx, who completed a 1-2 road trip.
DeMya Walker has 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Ruthie Bolton and Tangela Smith scored 12 points apiece for Sacramento, which lost for just the third time in nine games.
