This may have been one of the Sun’s most impressive performances of the season.
Connecticut steamrolled the Dallas Wings 102-72 Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena to lock up a double-bye in the 2019 postseason. The Sun maintained a double-digit lead through most of the game as they cruised to their ninth-straight win at home. They are now 15-1 at Mohegan Sun Arena this season.
Jonquel Jones (22 points) and Morgan Tuck (17 points) led the charge in Connecticut’s 23rd win of the season. Wings rookie Arike Ogunbowale led all scorers with 32 points in the contest.
Connecticut climbs to 23-9 with the win, while Dallas falls to 10-22.
Here’s how it all went down:
STARTING FIVE
PG: Courtney Williams
SG: Jasmine Thomas
SF: Shekinna Stricklen
PF: Alyssa Thomas
C: Jonquel Jones
SUN START HOT
It didn’t take long for Connecticut to get the ball rolling.
The Sun and the Wings traded leads early in the first, finding themselves knotted at eight points apiece just four minutes into the game. But that wouldn’t last long as Connecticut went on a 14-6 run during the second half of the quarter, led by Shekinna Stricklen.
The Sun cruised to a quick eight-point lead and managed to maintain it throughout the remainder of the quarter. The Wings had several changes to tighten the score, but a strong defensive effort from Bria Holmes helped stall Dallas’ efforts.
The Sun took a 24-16 lead into the second quarter.
SUN EXTENDS LEAD
Things really took off for the Sun in the second quarter.
Connecticut wasted no time breaking things open, going up 14 on Dallas just two minutes into the quarter thanks to some impressive work from Alyssa Thomas.
Tuck helped pushed the Sun lead to 20 with a couple of big buckets from beyond the arc.
Connecticut extended its lead to 23 points after 20 minutes of play.
Jones led all scorers with a whopping 18 points in the first half.
SUN’S DOMINANCE CONTINUES
The Sun’s success didn’t stop in the second half.
Dallas and Connecticut traded buckets to start the quarter once again, but Connecticut maintained a double-digit lead throughout the quarter. Jasmine Thomas helped the Sun’s cause with a 3-pointer early in the third.
Alyssa Thomas bolstered the Sun’s lead with another spectacular quarter on both ends of the court.
Jones was nearly perfect Wednesday, racking up 22 points and 7 boards through 30 minutes of play.
The Sun held a commanding 27-point lead with 10 minutes left to play.
GOODNIGHT
Just like the first three quarters, it was all Sun in the fourth.
Rachael Banham kicked off the quarter with a nifty 3-point shot.
Dallas tried to close the gap on several occasions, but the Sun refused to budge. Two sweet dishes from Natisha Hiedeman helped Connecticut maintain control late in the game.
The Sun took a massive 35-point lead in the final three minutes of the game thanks to a late-game push from Tuck, who racked up 12 points in the final quarter.
Connecticut closed the night with a 30-point cushion, topping Dallas 102-72.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Did you see that pass?!
UP NEXT
The Sun will play the penultimate game of their regular-season schedule Friday against the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun Arena. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.
