New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Sun pull even in series with Sky
UNCASVILLE — Connecticut can breathe.
The top-seeded Sun defeated No. 6 Chicago 79-68 Thursday night at Mohegan Sun Arena to even the bestof-5 WNBA semifinal series.
The Sky (17-17) opened Thursday’s game with the same fastpaced intensity it brought in Game 1. The pace threw off the Sun, resulting in rushed shots. After 6-0 run by Chicago, Connecticut (27-7) called full time out less than two minutes into the quarter.
Once again, Chicago’s smothering defense gave way to a 11-point Sky lead in the first quarter. Unable to get things going offensively, Sun head coach Curt Miller began to sub out his starters in order to find the right offensive rhythm for a much-needed spark.
With fresh legs on the court the Sun began to settle into Chicago’s pace and found a grove. A Brionna Jones layup less than 30 seconds left in the first quarter tied the game at 21 before the Sky closed the period back on top on their next possession.
With the taste of Tuesday’s double overtime loss still lingering, Connecticut began the second quarter with a boost of intensity and physicality.
While the increase physicality paid off in some ways — getting the Sky forwards Stefanie Dolson and Azura Stevens to three fouls each by halftime — the Sun’s shooting woes continued and they finished the first half shooting just 50% from the foul line, while Chicago was a perfect 9-of-9.
Despite Dolson and Stevens on foul-watch, the
Sky were able to shutout 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones, keeping her scoreless the whole first half. Yet with the Chicago bigs on the bench the Sun made their move and a ended the first half ahead by six thanks to a jumper from Alyssa Thomas.
The teams started the third quarter with back-toback jump balls. The Sky took control of the quarter,
out shooting the Sun 20-13, and building a lead as big as four before a 3-pointer from the Sun’s Natisha Hiedeman got Connecticut within one heading into the final quarter.
The Sun put together a 7-0 run and lead 65-59 halfway through the final period. In just her fourthgame back from an Achilles injury in January, Thomas — who finished the game with a standing ovation and 15 points — scored a putback with 2:48 left in the game to get the Sun up by double-digits for the first time. Connecticut seized the momentum and rode out the final minutes
of the game.
For the Sun to advance through to the finals and continue the chase for the franchise’s first WNBA title, they must now defeat the Sky in Chicago. Away games are nothing major for Connecticut, which finished the regular season 11-5 in road games, while Chicago wasn’t as successful going 6-10 at home.
The Sun will travel to Chicago for Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-5 semifinal series. Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN.