CT Sun Wrap: Connecticut Earns Third Straight Win, Beats Sky In Record Night

It was a record-setting night Friday as the Connecticut Sun took the floor at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. to face the Chicago Sky.

Jasmine Thomas recorded her 3,000th career point, Alyssa Thomas moved to sixth in the team’s history for assists while DeWanna Bonner tallied the 5,000th point of her career as well.

And in the end, it was a game-winning steal by Bonner in the final seconds to seal Connecticut’s 77-74 victory over Chicago. The Sun have now won third straight contests.

Friday’s result was led by four Connecticut starters scoring in double figures, with Bonner (19 points, nine rebounds), Alyssa Thomas (15 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists), Jasmine Thomas (15 points) and Brionna Jones (15 points).

With the result, the Sun move to 4-6 while the Sky fall to 6-4.

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Here’s how it went down:

STARTING FIVE
PG: Jasmine Thomas
SG: Kaila Charles
PF: Alyssa Thomas
SF: DeWanna Bonner
C: Brionna Jones

EARLY STRUGGLES
Chicago got off to a good start, scoring the first six points of the game and later taking its largest lead of the first half (eight points).

Both Alyssa Thomas and Jasmine Thomas etched their mark in CT Sun history during the quarter.

GAINING AN ADVANTAGE
The Sun controlled the glass and thus controlled the half, taking a 37-28 lead into the break after also shooting 35.7 percent from the field (15-for-42).

Connecticut out-rebounded Chicago 20-11 in the first half, with 10 points coming off offensive rebounds, of which it had seven. Six different players found the scoring column with Jones and Thomas leading the way with eight points apiece.

EXTENDING THEIR LEAD
It took a little while for things to get going in the second half, but when they did it was was all Connecticut.

The Sun extended their advantage to as many as 14 points before taking a 55-45 lead at the end of the period. They did so behind Bonner, who had nine points in the quarter, and the defense.

CLOSE CALL
Things got interesting when Connecticut had its lead cut to five points with three minutes left, two with just two minutes remaining and eventually one, 75-74, with 19.3 seconds left.

Alyssa Thomas had a crucial steal in the final minute before Brionna Jones converted on a layup in traffic to give the Sun a 75-72 lead with 29 ticks left. Bonner then had the game-winning steal and free throws to end it.

NEXT UP
The Sun will take on the Seattle Storm on Sunday with tip set for 3 p.m. ET.

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