Sun Stumble, Sunk by Sky

By Bob Phillips

Rachel Banham (1) drives past Chicago's Jamierre
Faulkner. The Sky broke the Sun's five-game winning
streak with a 97-86 victory over Connecticut.

CHICAGO—George Harrison once made the profound spiritual statement that “All Things Must Pass,” and so it was last night for the Connecticut Sun, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end last night. The Sun, who entered the game as one of the two hottest teams in the league (along with Eastern Conference rival Washington) saw their five-game winning streak snapped by the most unlikely of opponents.

Courtney Vandersloot led all scorers with 20 points and dished out 15 of Chicago’s 35 assists—tying a WNBA single-game team record set by the Minnesota Lynx last season—to lead the Sky to a 97-85victory over the Connecticut Sun before 5,976 fans at Wintrust Arena Friday night. Allie Quigley added 17 points, while former UConn star Stefanie Dolson dripped in 16 for Chicago. Diamond DeShields chippped in with a 12-point, seven-rebound. Six-assist effort, while rookie Gabby Williams, another former UConn star, scored 11 points, and Kahleah Copper added 10 for the Sky, who improved to 11-19.

Chiney Ogwumike led Connecticut with 18 points to lead Connecticut, followed by Jasmine Thomas (14), Jones (13), and Shekinna Stricklen, a former No. 2 overall pick by the Seattle Storm, added 12 for the Sun, who fell to 17-13.

Chicago, which tied the record set by the Minnesota Lynx last season, called a timeout with 15.5 seconds remaining and a nine-point lead to draw up a potential record-breaking play. Sun coach Curt Miller, who was was visibly upset, could be heard on the sideline calling the timeout ''bush league.”

Quigley hit a three-pointer to cap a 9-2 opening spurt and the Sky never trailed after that. Following a traditional three-point play by Copper, capping a 12-4 run that pushed the Chicago lead to 13 with three minutes left in the first quarter, back-to-back baskets by Deshields gave the Sky their biggest lead of the game at 61-41 early in the second half.

Stricklen hit three from beyond the arc in a 57-second span, and Jones scored 10 points during a 24-7 spurt that cut Chicago’s 20-point advantage down to three, 72-69, early in the fourth quarter. But the Sky stopped the bleeding by going on a 13-3 run, upping the lead to 13 points, and they never looked back.

The Sun will have an opportunity to avenge the loss tomorrow as the two teams will once again meet tomorrow, this time at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Both teams have a lot to play for. The Sun currently are tied with Minnesota for the No. 5 playoff spot, though own the higher slot when tiebreakers are factored into the equation. Connecticut is currently one game behind No. 4 Los Angeles, and one-half game ahead of No. 7 Phoenix in the WNBA postseason pecking order.

The Sky, meanwhile, still entertain playoff hopes—albeit extremely remote. Chicago trails Dallas by 3.5 games for the No. 8 (and final) playoff spot. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. For tickets, click HERE. Fans unable to attend can catch the game live on NBC Sports Boston or WNBA League Pass.

Honoring Holly

Sunday will mark the second time that the Sun will be wearing special commemorative uniforms that will be auctioned off to benefit the Norma Pfriem Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Holly Rowe, the  popular ESPN personality, will be honored at halftime when she is presented with the Margo Dydek Award. Download the DASH app HERE or visit the auction website HERE. The auction will run through the end of Sunday's game.

—with staff reports