Posted: Saturday July 7, 2012 11:49PM ; Updated: Saturday July 7, 2012 11:49PM

WNBA: Sun nip Lynx in battle of conference leaders

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Kara Lawson scored 22 points and the Connecticut Sun held on to beat the Minnesota Lynx 86-80 on Saturday in a matchup of conference leaders.

Tina Charles had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Sun (12-4). Asjha Jones also had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Maya Moore led Minnesota with 19 points while Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 15 for the Lynx (13-4), who have lost three straight for the first time since July 17-29, 2010. The defeat was Minnesota's first in nine home games this season.

The Sun led 74-54 with 7:10 to play, but Minnesota made five 3-pointers - two each by Moore and Candice Wiggins - during a 20-4 run that got the Lynx within 78-74 with 2:23 to play. McWilliams-Franklin scored the other eight points.

But Moore missed a 3-pointer and McWilliams-Franklin committed an offensive foul before the Sun made seven of eight free throws in the final 32 seconds to secure the win.

FEVER 88, SKY 86, OT

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tamika Catchings had 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists to lead the Fever to a win over the Sky.

Catchings, who is set for her third Olympics later this month, became the first player in WNBA history to score 1,500 career free throws on 6 of 8 free throw shooting.

Jessica Davenport scored 15 points and Shavonte Zellous scored 14 points for the Fever (9-6).

Sylvia Fowles had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Shay Murphy scored 20 points for the Sky (8-7), who have lost six of seven.

Davenport scored the go-ahead basket with 2:41 left in overtime and was fouled on the shot. She missed the free throw, but Zellous grabbed the rebound and Davenport scored to give the Fever an 83-80 lead.