UNCASVILLE, CONN. The Sun put on a strong defensive show to end the losing streak on Wednesday after returning home from a five-game, winless road trip.
The Connecticut Sun maintained a 71-62 victory by holding the Chicago Sky to less than 39% from the field.
On Sunday, August 17 at 1 p.m., Connecticut (6-26) will host the Indiana Fever in an attempt to win again.
The Sky came out strong and led by six halfway through the first despite the unavailability of Courtney Vandersloot (knee) and Angel Reese (back). However, the hosts persisted and continued to chip away throughout the quarter.
In the first quarter, Le la Lacan and Aneesah Morrow scored 13 points between them. Lacan’s three-pointer with 1.9 seconds left gave Connecticut a three-point lead at the end of the period.
Lacan scored the opening basket to increase the lead by two points in the second quarter, continuing his scorching start. With Kamilla Cardoso on the bench, the Sky’s attack had trouble in the first few minutes.
Bria Hartley and Rebecca Allen of Chicago engaged in a violent fight with 6:35 remaining in the half, which swiftly intensified as tensions rose on both sides. In the confusion, a number of players from both teams hurried over, including Ariel Atkins of Chicago, who objected to Hartley’s behavior.
In addition to Allen and Atkins for Chicago, Hartley was also ejected from the game.
After the game, Rivers commented on the team’s response to Hartley’s ejection: “We’re (going to) have her back, regardless.”
We still need to finish the game after a player leaves, whether it’s due to an injury or an ejection. Make sure we do so and bring the victory back to the locker room first so that (Hartley) may join us in celebrating.
Following Hartley’s dismissal, the Sun reacted forcefully, increasing their advantage to double digits in the second half. In the second, Connecticut’s defense smothered the Sky, limiting Chicago to just four made shots and holding them to 26.7% from the field.
With nine points at the half, Lacan led all scorers, followed by Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Marina Mabrey, who each contributed eight points.
The second half saw the undermanned Sky continue to struggle offensively, with only eight players left eligible to play. Throughout the third, Connecticut held a firm hold on the game.
The Sky cut the Sun’s lead to 15 in the last minutes, and the visitors’ momentum carried over into the fourth. The Sun had led by as many as 21 points. Chicago came within four points of the hosts after holding the Sun scoreless for more than four minutes.
Regarding the team’s difficulties in the fourth quarter, Rivers remarked, “We’ve lost a few games down the stretch like that, having the lead in the first half and then not following through for 40 minutes.” We simply really locked in, and playing 40 minutes together will be crucial for us in the future.
With 5:30 left in the game, Tina Charles made a clutch three to end the Sun’s run. Charles drained an 18-foot jump jumper from the top of the arc less than a minute after Aneesah Morrow claimed her second block of the evening, giving the Sun a nine-point lead.
Cardoso fought hard to keep the Sky close as the two teams traded baskets. However, Connecticut’s defense put up a fight against the Sky in the closing minutes, scoring just six points and making five costly mistakes to allow the Sun to win.
Saniya Rivers and Le la Lacan throw Chicago’s offensive into disarray.
Cardoso finished with nine rebounds and a game-high 24 points for the Sky.
However, the Sky paid a heavy price for their failure to generate any offense outside of their second-year center, as the club as a whole only made 14 of 43 (32.6%) field goals.
Along with their bad shooting, Chicago wasted the ball, committing 19 turnovers that evening while Connecticut just had five.
Lacan led the Sun in scoring with 17 points and dishing out five assists. Chicago’s flow was particularly disrupted by her defensive connection with Rivers, as the two players combined for five of the team’s eleven steals.
According to Lacan, sometimes those behind me get more relaxed as I start to exert pressure. We can take advantage of the fact that I am aware that Rivers will be present to refuse the pass.
We were in dire need of a steal at one point, and it seems like Rivers does that frequently. I’ve followed her since she was in college two years ago, so I’m happy to have the opportunity to play with her. I remember one versus Seattle, and I truly know how she plays.
Aaliyah Edwards debuts at home
Aaliyah Edwards, a recently acquired forward, made her home debut after being acquired from the Washington Mystics after the trade deadline.
Edwards, who started the second game off the bench, proceeded to play off the bench in the Sun’s previous two away games. She drove past her defender on the right side and finished strong at the rim to score on her first try at a shot.
The former UConn star finished with two points on one of three field goals in just under 12 minutes played, failing to score another basket.
Edwards’ demeanor alone makes her a perfect fit in the Sun’s locker room, even though it might take some time for the Canadian international to get used to her new role on the court.
Rivers remarked, “Edwards just fit in perfectly because we’re like an energetic group.” She stepped right in; you would think she was with us the entire season. Before every game, we turn on music, blast it, and just get lit together.
Edwards is an excellent addition to our team. She works hard, runs, and is undoubtedly a significant presence both on defense and offensively. She’s a terrific addition to this team, in my opinion, and I believe she’s incredibly unique when she shares the ball.
