Sun Win Second Straight Over Mystics

Photo By Bill Harper

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Connecticut Sun stopped the Washington Mystics for the second straight time, putting up an 88-81 victory at Entertainment and Sports Arena in our nation’s capital on Tuesday night.

After the Mystics raced out to an early 14-9 lead five minutes into the contest, the Sun responded with a 12-3 run to close out the period, taking a 21-17 at the first pole. Alyssa Thomas led all scorers with eight points after 10 minutes of play.

The Mystics came back in the second quarter, cutting the Connecticut lead to one, 43-42, at intermission. Thomas led the Sun with six points, one rebound, two assists and one steal in the quarter. Natisha Hiedeman added four points and one steal, while Tiffany Hayes, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Ty Harris each added three points in the second.

The Sun charged out of the locker room in the third period and upped their advantage to four, 63-59, heading into the fourth. DeWanna Bonner led the Connecticut surge, putting up seven points of her 15 points in the quarter. Connecticut continued to push pace offensively in the fourth stanza, outscoring the Mystics, 25-22, to seal the deal. Brionna Jones, who started slow, ended the contest with eight points, including her first three-point field goal since the 2020 season, to lead the Sun in the fourth.

With the win, Connecticut improved to a perfect 3-0 on the young season while Washington fell to 1-2. The Sun were led by Alyssa Thomas who tallied her fifth-straight double-double, dating back to the 2022 season, with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and also had five assists and two steals. The Mystics were led by Elena Delle Donne who put up a season-high 27 points, grabbed seven boards, dished out four assists and had one blocked shot on her stat line.

Connecticut shot a season-high 47.5% (29-61), while holding Washington to 41.5% (27-65) from the field on the night. The Sun dominated the paint, outscoring the Mystics, 40-26.

SUN SPOTS

*Tiffany Hayes dished out a career-high tying eight assists.

*All five Sun starters finished in double figures for the first time this season.

*The Sun finished with season-highs in points (88), assists (21) and three-point field goals (8).

*DeWanna Bonner moved into 18th all-time in games played in league history, tying Tully Bevilaqua (425).

*With one block in tonight’s game, Brionna Jones moved to No. 13 all-time in blocked shots in Connecticut Sun history, tying Brooke Wyckoff (61).

*Natisha Hiedeman eclipsed 800 career-points in tonight with 13 points (804).

*DeWanna Bonner now has 191 15+ point performances, tying Nneka Ogwumike for 14th most in WNBA history.