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Connecticut Sun defeat Washington Mystics, 80-74

Connecticut Sun defeat Washington Mystics, 80-74
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SCORE: 80-74

POST GAME QUOTES: I have no idea we were missing that many shots in the first quarter. I don’t think being back at home, with a new environment, new coach, too excited ya know. You can be too ramped up, but I think once we settled down, especially for myself, taking a break on the bench, watching the flow of the game and seeing the first shot go down was easy. I can’t tell you why though, but in the end we made enough shots Connecticut Sun Guard DeWanna Bonner 

Going into Sunday’s game there were two big storylines. One was the tribute to retired hall of fame player Taj Franklin Williams. The other was also the first home for the Connecticut Sun. The sun were just coming off their first win of the season and also their first game of the season over the young Indiana Fever. The Mystics were coming into town with a 1-0 record and very decisive victory over the  New York Liberty 80-64. 

Both teams were not just playing to win but to stay undefeated. This game definitely lived up to its hype. What was surprising was the strong start Washington began the game with. They created a 12-3 lead midway into the first period. The strong start/charge was led by Della Donne, Sykes and Austin leading the way with four points each. Their biggest lead during this run was 16-5 before Connecticut started to respond. 

Even though the Sun had started to produce some offense the Mystics defense held them in check. The Sun only shot 14% and ended the period only making 29% of their shots. The good news was they had cut the lead but the bad news is they were still trailing. 

The Sun in the second period had continued chipping away at the lead. Their defense had gotten better, but the Mystics were still making critical shots to keep the short lead. You could tell that the Mystic was getting frustrated even with the lead as coach Thibault received a technical. When the second period ended Washington was still in the lead 38-34, but the lead seemed to be dimming.

Once the second half started the Mystics continued to keep a firm, but close lead on the Sun. Midway through the third period the Sun had cut the lead to two 51-49. Atkins and Cloud specifically made the shots necessary to keep the lead going into the fourth period. With the Sun outscoring Washington in both the second and third period it was only a matter of time before they took the lead. Midway through the fourth period is when it happened. The Sun went on a 10-1 run. Led by Brionna Jones who had 13 points, which gave Connecticut a 59-58 lead. After they officially took the lead in the fourth, they never looked back. As they ended the game with the win 80-74.

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