Photo by: Connecticut Sun
Coach Meziane knew the WNBA would be a challenge, but it’s one he embraces fully. “It’s a dream to coach at this level,” he said before the game, and his Connecticut Sun team came out with that same energy determined, aggressive, and hungry.
The Sun started red-hot. Jacy Sheldon scored the first bucket, Olivia Nelson-Ododa added free throws, and Marina Mabrey pushed the lead to 6-0 with a smooth layup. A turnaround jumper made it 8-2, and Tina Charles ran the court with purpose, forcing a Washington timeout just minutes into the game.
Connecticut continued to dominate in the first, building an 18-6 lead with key plays from Bria Hartley and Olivia. Washington’s Kiki Iriafen and Brittany Sykes fought to keep it close, but the Sun led 23-13 after the opening quarter, winning the rebound battle and racking up assists.
The second quarter brought a surge from the Mystics. Citron and Sykes brought them within two, but Tina Charles and Mabrey responded. Still, Washington refused to go away. Jade Melbourne went coast to coast, Sykes hit from the line, and by halftime, Connecticut held just a five-point lead at 46-41.
The third quarter saw both teams trade punches. Tina Charles remained steady with tough finishes, but the Mystics found rhythm , Melbourne hit a three, Sykes added a layup, and Citron scored off the glass to close the gap.
By the fourth, the game was a nail-biter. Connecticut led 65-63, but Iriafen and Citron ignited a comeback. Mabrey hit a jumper, then Tina added another bucket to push the lead to 72-67. Sykes hit a tough and-one, bringing the Mystics within one. Then, Stephanie Dolson knocked down a huge three, giving Washington their first lead of the game at 75-74. Citron came up big again late, finishing through contact to give Washington an 88-85 lead with just seconds left. Her free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining sealed the 90-85 win.
Sykes finished with 27 points before fouling out. Iriafen had 17 points and 14 rebounds. Citron added 15. For Connecticut, Charles posted 23 points and 10 boards, Nelson-Ododa had 18, and Hartley chipped in 11 off the bench.
Afterward, Charles kept it real: “We’ll learn from this. It starts in practice.” The Sun now turns their focus to the Las Vegas Aces who they face May 20th at 7pm.
