The Sun and Wings squared off Wednesday for the second time in a week, though Game 2 was much different than the first.
It wasn’t pretty, but Connecticut eked out a 70-66 victory over Dallas at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The Sun got off to a sluggish start, but certainly made things interesting in the second half.
DeWanna Bonner (18 points, six rebounds, three steals) and Alyssa Thomas (17 points, 7 rebounds) led the charge for Connecticut. Arike Ogunbowale (19 points, three rebounds) and Allisha Gray (15 points, eight rebounds) did the same for Dallas, though they weren’t as pleased with the result.
Both squads moved to 3-6. This is the first time the Sun have won two games in a row this season the second time they’ve beaten the Wings in the last week.
Here’s how it all went down:
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STARTING FIVE
PG: Jasmine Thomas
SG: Kaila Charles
PF: Alyssa Thomas
SF: DeWanna Bonner
C: Brionna Jones
A SLUGGISH START
Connecticut got off to a bit of a slow start Tuesday night, and it showed.
The Wings wasted no time opening up a small lead, especially with the Sun shooting just 1-for-7 from the field to start the game. Dallas put forth quite the team effort early with Ogunbowale, Gray and Satou Sabally spreading 13 points between them.
.@Arike_O with the smooth pump fake and step-back for the bucket 🔥
📺: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/SOUUxOZDpW
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 12, 2020
Just like we drew it up? 😅@satou_sabally @Graytness_15 #RISE pic.twitter.com/TEvofogLjA
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 12, 2020
But Connecticut stayed within striking distance thanks to some of Dallas’ glaring defensive flaws. Brionna Jones led all scorers with six points in the quarter, while a feisty Jasmine Thomas had five.
In it until the end💪#SUNState pic.twitter.com/aG884doMiK
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 12, 2020
Hot from the corner!#SUNState pic.twitter.com/RluX91cSvw
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 12, 2020
The Wings opened up a 20-15 lead after 10 minutes.
SLOPPY STUFF
Dallas extended its lead to seven early, but both squads struggled to find their groove.
The Sun and Wings combined for 14 (!) turnovers in the first half alone while scoring just 24 second-quarter points. Connecticut shot a miserable 9-for-33 (27.3 percent) from the field and just 1-for-9 (11 percent) from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.
Just as the Wings gained steam, however, so did the Sun. Dallas opened up a 10-point advantage in the latter half of the second, but Connecticut pushed right back to make it a five-point game on the back of Thomas.
Smart look! #SUNState pic.twitter.com/0s1KHOOlzP
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 12, 2020
Drive, dish, deliver🔥#SUNState pic.twitter.com/Zoue8U5vhU
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 12, 2020
The Wings padded their lead before the buzzer sounded, entering halftime up nine on the Sun.
CHIP-CHIP-CHIPPING AWAY
It took a little while, but things started to go the Sun’s way.
After another slow start, Connecticut slowly chiseled away at Dallas’ lead. And thanks to some solid stuff from AT and Bonner, the Sun managed to make it a three-point game with 3:35 on the clock.
.@athomas_25 ➡️ @__KC5 in transition 👏
📺: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/KJL8tn4X29
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 13, 2020
You don't have to get out of her way, she will find a way to score!#SUNState pic.twitter.com/57FonBQPpj
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 13, 2020
The Sun made it a one-point game twice in the final three minutes of the game, but the Wings managed to stay up three entering the final frame.
COMEBACK COMPLETE
Connecticut finally took the lead in the fourth, and they didn’t look back.
The Sun kicked things off with a 14-5 run, going up for the first time since early in the first on a massive three from Bria Holmes, her first of the night. Thomas followed that up with a quick layup to make it a three-point game once again, only this time, the Sun were on top.
SUN TAKE THE LEAD#SUNState pic.twitter.com/YKimYdJQe6
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 13, 2020
The Wings remained within striking distance, however, leaning hard on Ty Harris down the stretch.
Needed that one! @TyHarris_52 #RISE pic.twitter.com/DcGrcl57bE
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 13, 2020
THIS ROOK HAS NO FEAR. @TyHarris_52 #RISE pic.twitter.com/hKTtTvfOxL
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 13, 2020
Dallas made it a one-point game with 2:28 left to play, but Jasmine Thomas drained a clutch triple to give the Sun a much-needed boost.
You get a three! You get a three! You get a three! **Oprah voice**#SUNState pic.twitter.com/HkroRkxHSO
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 13, 2020
Ogumbowale trimmed the Sun’s lead to two with 31.1 on the clock, but a Bonner triple sealed the deal for Connecticut.
The Sun beat the Wings for the second time in a week, topping Dallas 70-66.
PLAY OF THE GAME
What a play, what a shot.
This Girl is on FIREEEEEEEE🎶#SUNState pic.twitter.com/qCgEnyjGHb
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 13, 2020
UP NEXT
The Sun square off against the Chicago Sky for the second time in a week Friday night, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. ET.
