It’s been nearly a year since the Connecticut Sun lost a home game, and they made sure to keep the streak alive Tuesday night.
Entering Tuesday’s contest against the Washington Mystics, the Sun had won the last 10 regular-season games played at Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut continued that trend with an 83-75 victory against the top-scoring team in the WNBA.
Jonquel Jones came just shy of her fifth double-double of the season, notching 24 points and seven rebounds in Tuesday’s game. Courtney Williams was close behind with 23 points and seven boards.
Shekinna Stricklen had herself one heck of a game as well, scoring 12 points on four 3-pointers.
It was Connecticut’s fourth win in a row as they improved to 6-1 on the season, but it wasn’t the prettiest game it’s played this season. The Mystics dropped to 4-2 with the loss.
Here’s how it all went down:
STARTING FIVE
PG: Jasmine Thomas
SG: Courtney Williams
SF: Shekinna Stricklen
PF: Alyssa Thomas
C: Jonquel Jones
MYSTICS MAINTAIN TIGHT LEAD
The Sun kept things close with the Mystics through the first 10 minutes of the game, but went down early.
Jasmine Thomas got the scoring started for Connecticut with a lightning-fast play for two.
.@jaszthomas gets to the hoop QUICK! ⚡️@ConnecticutSun vs. Mystics LIVE on @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/1jjHQkH92D
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 11, 2019
The Mystics took a quick 8-4 lead not long after, but Stricklen broutgh the Sun within one with her first bucket of the game.
Shooters shoot. @strick40 grabs a triple. 8-7 Mystics. pic.twitter.com/aRoY3IywAR
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 11, 2019
Williams tied the game at 16 points apiece with an impressive shot from downtown.
"BELIEVE IT!" @CourtMWilliams for three ties it up at 16! she has 7 points for the Sun so far. pic.twitter.com/iFa3AQgGVp
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 11, 2019
Connecticut tied it again at 18-all, but the Mystics led the Sun 24-18 after the first quarter.
SUN KEEP THINGS CLOSE
Connecticut wasn’t able to take the lead in the second, but it certainly made things close.
After Washington hit the first basket of the quarter, Jones took it to the hole to get two points back for the Sun.
Reigning Player of the Week Jonquel Jones showing her muscle! 💪@ConnecticutSun vs. Mystics
📺: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/oS77cJKoqI
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 11, 2019
Connecticut allowed Washington to score go on a 6-0 run, which ended with a Bria Holmes three ball.
Bria Holmes! She connects with a three in the corner to pull the Sun within one and forces a Washington timeout! It's 26-25 Mystics with 7 minutes to play in the half! pic.twitter.com/4GYKyKCOKt
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 11, 2019
Another key bucket by Williams made it a one-point game with less than three minutes left in the half.
A good one forming here at Mohegan Sun Arena. @CourtMWilliams leads the Sun with 9 points so far. 32-31 Mystics. pic.twitter.com/grdVj73Xpr
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 11, 2019
But turnovers were not Connecticut’s friend through the first half, and it cost the team several points down the stretch.
Despite ending the half down 37-33, the Sun outscored the Mystics in the second quarter by two. Jones paced Connecticut with 10 points and six rebounds.
SUN TAKE LEAD
It was comeback time for the Sun in the second half, but they didn’t get off to the greatest start. The Mystics went on a 6-0 run before Williams sank the Sun’s first basket of the half.
Courtney Williams brings the crowd alive with the 3! pic.twitter.com/abG4Zkg7b9
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
Connecticut eventually allowed Washington to take a seven-point lead before Jones sank back-to-back 3-point shots, bringing the Sun within two.
ABUSRD. Jonquel Jones drills her second three of the half and we are within two. pic.twitter.com/mVEi9HsZoQ
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
The Sun eventually took their first lead of the game off of a Jones fadeaway over Elena Delle Donne.
Fadeaway over Elena Delle Donne? No problem.
JJ gives the Sun the lead with another bucket. pic.twitter.com/w10uAI9fBx
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
Connecticut briefly gave up the lead, but Stricklen took it right back.
STRICK FROM DOWNEST OF TOWNS! pic.twitter.com/N8X5vp6J2E
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
The Sun started to gain momentum in the final moments of the quarter, entering the fourth with a 60-55 lead off of a Layshia Clarendon trey.
CONNECTICUT PULLS AHEAD
Washington wouldn’t go away quietly, but Connecticut maintained a healthy lead on the Mystics throughout the final quarter.
The Sun broke things open in the last seven minutes of the game, starting with Stricklen’s third 3-pointer of the night.
Strick. Can't. Stop. Draining. Threes. pic.twitter.com/3wwfYRoVwR
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
Stricklen hit her fourth three of the night just a minute later.
IT WON'T STOP. @strick40 is 4-for-6 from beyond the arc with no sign of stopping. The Sun have pushed their lead to 11, 77-66. pic.twitter.com/WLzuksKsNU
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
Jones piled on to Connecticut’s lead with her 22nd point of the game.
Jonquel Jones makes the defender look SILLY. She has 22 points and 7 boards. pic.twitter.com/p9m9UhfH0C
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
Despite taking an 11-point lead in the final minutes, Connecticut allowed Washington would cut the lead to five in the final seconds of the game. But it was too little too late for the Mystics, who dropped their second game of the season to the Sun.
PLAY OF THE GAME
What. A. Shot.
HARD TO THE RACK! pic.twitter.com/KzR88bo1XS
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 12, 2019
UP NEXT
The Sun will take off for Minnesota where they will square off against the Lynx at the Target Center on Friday. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. ET.
