Sun cap perfect homestand with win over LA

UNCASVILLE — Boasting the WNBA’s best home record since 2019, the first-place Connecticut Sun ensured that that distinction would remain the case on their lengthy homestand coming back from the Olympic break.

Capped by Saturday’s 76-61 win over the Los Angeles Sparks in front of a crowd of 4,434, the Sun improved to 13-1 at home, going a perfect 5-0 at Mohegan Sun Arena the last two weeks as they sank their teeth into the second half of the regular season.

The Sun are 6-0 since the Olympic break and have won eight straight overall.

Jonquel Jones scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half, while Brionna Jones’ 15 rebounds were three shy of the Sparks’ total (the team as a whole outrebounded the Sparks, 38-18). Brionna also had a game-high 16 points, while Erica Wheeler (15) led the Sparks.

After doubling up the Sparks in the first quarter Tuesday (20-10), L.A. held the advantage after the first 10 minutes

on Thursday, 21-16. The Sparks’ physical defense caused fits for Connecticut’s offense, which committed six turnovers, while defensive player of the year candidate Brittney Sykes alone came away with four steals and a block.

The Sun’s reserves used an 8-2 run to help the Sun retake the advantage in

the second quarter, capped by a Natisha Hiedeman transition 3. Though the teams would trade leads for the rest of the quarter, during which Nneka Ogwumike sat after picking up her third foul, Connecticut went into the half up 40-37 after going 8-for-9 from the free throw line.

The Sun took the largest lead of the game at 56-45 thanks to a 12-3 run late in the third, capped by a transition layup from Kaila Charles to get a tad of breathing room. Jasmine Thomas’ floater at the buzzer to close the third quarter gave the Sun another 11-point edge heading into the fourth.

Connecticut’s seven unanswered points to start the final frame helped them to a 20-point lead with 6:20 remaining.