New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Sun fall to Sky in double OT
UNCASVILLE — Connecticut’s chase to the franchise’s first WNBA title started with a slight bump Tuesday night.
Despite starting the day receiving a sweep of league accolades, the top-seeded Sun fell 101-95 to No. 6 Chicago in double overtime at Mohegan Sun in Game 1 of a bestof-5 semifinal series. The Sun’s franchise-record 14-game win-streak was officially snapped by its first home loss in over three months.
The Sun began Tuesday on a high note. Jonquel Jones was named the WNBA’s MVP, along with Brionna Jones winning Most Improved Player and head coach Curt Miller winning Coach of the Year.
However the celebration wore off once on the court.
As the top seed in the playoffs, the Sun received a nine-day break following the conclusion of the regular season and Tuesday’s playoff opener. The rust showed in the first quarter.
On defense, Connecticut (26-7) was a second behind every Chicago move as the Sky (17-16) drained 3-pointer after 3-pointer. from Chicago led by as much as 11 in the opening period with the Sun unable to find an offensive grove. Connecticut rushed shots on offense, shot just 8-of-20, and couldn’t find a way around the Sky’s tall defenders — Azura Stevens and Stefanie Dolson as passes were intercepted.
The Sun didn’t find momentum until the quarter’s final minutes and erased the double-digit deficit to three thanks to an 8-0 run.
Jones, showed why she was named the league’s MVP in the second quarter. Jones was everywhere, jumping up for blocks on defense, grabbing rebounds and then running down the court to dish out a behind-the-back assist to anyone open. A jumper from Jones at 3:41 followed by another from DeWanna Bonner gave the Sun their first lead of the game at 3:07 in the second quarter at 36-34.
While briefly flustered with Connecticut’s comeback, the Sky persisted. A 7-0 run from Diamond DeShields closed out the half with the Sky on top 47-46.
Chicago came out of intermission with the same intensity it had to open the game. The Sun had no answer for slowing down 10-year vet Courtney Vandersloot. The Sky’s floor general maneuvered in and out of Sun defenders to reach the basket for jumpers and to find open teammates, leading Chicago to a 6-3 run to close the third quarter ahead of the Sun.
The Sky used a 7-0 run to lead by five and open the final period. While Connecticut got as close as two points thanks to a jumper from Alyssa Thomas, the Sun’s momentum began to fade. Sky players were left unguarded below the basket while offensive boards were left uncontested.
Connecticut’s final surge was sparked by a pair of Jonquel Jones free-throws at the 1:30 mark, tying the game at 82. The Sun then followed by forcing the Sky into a near shot-clock violation.
Brionna Jones fought hard under the basket to turn an offensive rebound into a layup to give the Sun the upperhand going into the final 30 seconds of regulation. However, Chicago didn’t back down as Kahleah Cooper made two out of three free throws to tie the game again 10 seconds later. A missed jumper by Bonner at the regulation buzzer forced the game into overtime.
The teams traded buckets up to start the extra period until a Briann January free throw tied the game at 91 with 25 seconds remaining. But after Vandersloot tripped on the Sky’s final possession and the Sun lost control of the ball on their final offensive drive, the game extended to a second overtime.
Neither team lessened pressure, tying the score once again a minute into the second OT. However, this time, Chicago made sure to capitalized on every Sun slip up. Vandersloot led the Sky through a 7-0 run to secure the Chicago victory and give Connecticut its first loss since August 12.
Connecticut will host the Sky in Game 2 of the semifinal series on Thursday back at Mohegan Sun at 8 p.m.