Sun fall to Lynx, lose fourth straight

UNCASVILLE — The franchisebest start that Curt Miller and Co. reveled in last month is now just a distant memory.

Not even a trip back home was enough to change the fortunes of the Connecticut Sun, whose losing streak reached four games following a 7471 loss to the Minnesota Lynx Saturday at Mohegan Sun.

“This is a tough one because we all know we should’ve won this game,” Connecticut guard Courtney Williams said. “We put ourselves in position to win, but I guess when it came down to it, they just got what they were supposed to get.”

Connecticut had a few chances to tie late, including a missed free throw by Williams with 1:13 left, but lacked execution. The loss was the team’s first at home this season and dropped them to 95 overall and further down the WNBA standings.

Jasmine Thomas led the Sun with 16 points, while Odyssey Sims paced the Lynx with 21 points. Minnesota also got 10 points and five rebounds from former UConn star Napheesa Collier, who received a nice ovation during pregame introductions from the crowd of 8,076.

“Well, (it was) disappointing for us to lose at home,” Miller said. “It’s magnified because we take such pride in getting to the finish line at home.”

The Sun made it to the finish line but didn’t cross it. Jasmine Thomas, Rachel Banham and Alyssa Thomas all missed potential gametying 3pointers in the final minute, as the Sun dropped to 61 at home.

Connecticut was ahead 5854 after three quarters but relinquished the lead with 7:19 left. Minnesota remained in front the rest of the way, refusing to budge after the Sun climbed within one on multiple occasions.

Sylvia Fowles added 18 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota while Alyssa Thomas and Williams scored 11 apiece for Connecticut.

“We left points out there with a bad foul shooting night,” said Miller, whose team was 7of12 from the charity stripe. “That was a game that could play identically the same way and we just make a couple more plays and we are sitting here a little bit differently.”