UNCASVILLE, CONN. - Queralt Casas made her only basket count Thursday night.
The WNBA rookie from Spain, trying to make a favorable impression on the defending league champions, scored the tiebreaking basket on a driving layup with 31.6 seconds to go, and the Lynx opened their preseason by beating Connecticut 87-85 on Thursday night.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve spread out the minutes among 14 players on her roster, and many looking for a spot on the team came up with big plays in the fourth quarter.
Brittany Rayburn hit two free throws with 2:02 to go to pull the Lynx within 85-83. Jessica Adair tied the score with two more free throws with 1:07 remaining.
Lynx first-round draft pick Deveraux Peters then blocked back-to-back layup attempts by Kelsey Griffin in the final minute. Casas then followed with her score
"They gutted it out for us and made plays," Lynx star Lindsay Whalen said of her teammates. "That is what you are supposed to do. It was great to see Devereaux Peters get some big blocks in there and Queralt Casas get the layup at the end to win the game. That is great to see out of that group."
Lynx second-round pick Julie Wojta had five points and seven rebounds, including six in the fourth quarter. But the 79.8 percent free-throw shooter in college at Wisconsin-Green Bay missed all four of her foul shots in the final 20 seconds, giving Connecticut a chance. However, the Sun missed its final three shot attempts.
Seimone Augustus led the Lynx with 12 points and Rebekkah Brunson added 11. But the Lynx also saw forward Amber Harris helped off because of a left leg injury.
The Lynx have one more preseason game. The roster must be at 11 when the regular season opens May 20.
