Rookie Montgomery leads way in overtime victory over Mystics

MINNEAPOLIS -- Rookie Renee Montgomery scored 16 of her season-high 21 points in the final two minutes of regulation and overtime as the Minnesota Lynx rallied to beat the Washington Mystics 96-94 on Tuesday.

Montgomery, the No. 4 overall pick in April's draft, scored six of her points in the extra period to lead the Lynx (8-4) to their fourth win in five games.

With 1.1 seconds remaining and Minnesota leading 95-92, Washington's Lindsey Harding was fouled on a 3-point attempt. Harding hit the first two free throws, but had her third attempt rim out.

Harding, traded from Minnesota to the Mystics in the offseason, had 27 points, but also missed an open jumper at the end of regulation. Alana Beard, the league's No. 4 scorer, added 14 points for Washington (5-5), but fouled out with 14.8 seconds remaining in regulation.

Nicky Anosike scored 24 points for Minnesota (8-4), while shooting 12 of 17 from the free throw line. Charde Houston finished with 19 points after going scoreless in the first half for the Lynx.

With Minnesota trailing 65-56 in the fourth period, the Lynx began chipping away until Montgomery took over. Montgomery scored six straight points on a pair of three-point plays, driving hard to the basket for a lay-up and getting to the line for a free throw as Minnesota took a 78-76 lead with just over a minute remaining in regulation.