Leila Lacan scored 17 points and Tina Charles added 15 in her return from a one-game absence, helping the Connecticut Sun secure a 71-62 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Sun (6-26) and avenged a 78-66 loss to Chicago on June 15.
Marina Mabrey chipped in 10 points and rookie Aneesah Morrow nearly had a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Connecticut built a commanding 21-point lead, but Chicago (8-24) rallied late, cutting the deficit to four before the Sun held firm.
Chicago’s Kamilla Cardoso led all scorers with 24 points and added nine rebounds, while Elizabeth Williams posted 12 points and 15 rebounds. Rachel Banham contributed 10 points, including three 3-pointers, but the Sky’s 19 turnovers proved costly. Star forward Angel Reese missed her sixth consecutive game with a back injury.
The Sun surged ahead 55-34 late in the third quarter, but the Sky responded with an 11-0 run, fueled by Kia Nurse’s 3-pointer, to pull within 60-56. Charles halted the comeback with a 3-pointer and an 18-foot jumper, while Saniya Rivers also connected from mid-range to restore control.
Tensions ran high in the second quarter when Connecticut’s Bria Hartley shoved Chicago’s Rebecca Allen after a missed 3-pointer. Allen grabbed Hartley’s jersey, prompting Ariel Atkins to intervene and accidentally make contact with an official. All three were ejected after technical fouls were issued.
The incident energized the Sun, who closed the half on a 15-7 run for a 42-28 advantage, with Olivia Nelson-Ododa scoring six during the stretch. Connecticut will now look to build on the momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Sun (6-26) and avenged a 78-66 loss to Chicago on June 15.
Marina Mabrey chipped in 10 points and rookie Aneesah Morrow nearly had a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Connecticut built a commanding 21-point lead, but Chicago (8-24) rallied late, cutting the deficit to four before the Sun held firm.
Chicago’s Kamilla Cardoso led all scorers with 24 points and added nine rebounds, while Elizabeth Williams posted 12 points and 15 rebounds. Rachel Banham contributed 10 points, including three 3-pointers, but the Sky’s 19 turnovers proved costly. Star forward Angel Reese missed her sixth consecutive game with a back injury.
The Sun surged ahead 55-34 late in the third quarter, but the Sky responded with an 11-0 run, fueled by Kia Nurse’s 3-pointer, to pull within 60-56. Charles halted the comeback with a 3-pointer and an 18-foot jumper, while Saniya Rivers also connected from mid-range to restore control.
Tensions ran high in the second quarter when Connecticut’s Bria Hartley shoved Chicago’s Rebecca Allen after a missed 3-pointer. Allen grabbed Hartley’s jersey, prompting Ariel Atkins to intervene and accidentally make contact with an official. All three were ejected after technical fouls were issued.
The incident energized the Sun, who closed the half on a 15-7 run for a 42-28 advantage, with Olivia Nelson-Ododa scoring six during the stretch. Connecticut will now look to build on the momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
