Uncasville – “We have to compete at an elite level every possession” said coach Stephanie White of the Connecticut Sun ahead of the game against the Minnesota Lynx. Nickolina Milic for the Lynx scored the first basket of the game, and Dewanna Bonner started off the Sun with a three and the crowd was engaged from the start. Oh, she scored again late in the shot clock, bringing the Sun within 1 (9-8) The Suns defense led to a Lynx turnover and DB heads to the line, and she makes both. An official timeout is called with 4:34 left in the first quarter, subs come in and DiJonai Carrington gets fouled, she makes 1of 2 at the line with 2:34 left in the quarter Natisha Hiederman hits a jumper and ties the game 15-15. Dorka Juhasz knocks one down from three, and here the Sun comes nice ally pass from Alyssa Thomas to Dewanna Bonner for two (20-19). Aeriel Powers gets the and 1 at the other end and Carrington scores a nice layup to end the first 23-21 Lynx up.
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Aeriel Powers hits behind the arc, and Dijoni comes back down and hits a baseline jumper (26-21). Turnovers, steals and back and forth between the two teams. Olivia Nelson-Ododa gets an easy bucket and brings the sun within 1 (26-25), Olivia gets back on defense and blocked Dorka’ former teammate’s shot. Carrington hit a jumper and Sun gained the lead but not for long because here comes Powers and she hit an 11-foot bank shot. Rebecca Allen answered with a reverse layup (28-29). Sun calls a timeout with 5:44 to go in the half, Db comes out aggressive and found herself back at the line and she makes both Free Throws and ties the game 33-33. Defense wins again with another traveling violation by the Lynx and the engine Alyssa Thomas heads to the line for two, she makes both! Minnesota Lynx’s Kayla McBride started to get hot from three scoring back-to-back buckets putting the lynx by eight (44-36). Sun calls a timeout with 158 to go in the half, AT and DB come in and do what they do best and score bringing the sun within four (46-42). At the half Lynx were up 48-44 with their leading scorer being Aeriel Powers with 14pts and 2ast and has a team they were shooting 63.3% from the field. Dewanna Bonner with 16pts and three steals and the team was shotting 35.1% from the field.
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The third quarter beings and Tiffany Hayes with the driving layup, DB gets a block on Nickolina Milic and then scores a jumper and ties the game 48-48. Rebecca Allen with another reverse layup and the Sun took a 2 pt lead 50-48. McBride heated up again from downtown, then Jesscia Shepard scores 4 pts back-to-back and the Lynx take demanding 66-58 lead. Shapard received a technical foul on her last basket and DB shot the free throw. Natisha Hiedeman scored a three at the buzzer to end the third (61-68).
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With 7:22 to go in the fourth DB gets another three 68 to 72. Lindsay Allen gets through the lanes and scores given the Lynx’s a 76-to-70-point lead. Carrington with the layup 76-72 after Milic gets an easy layup the Sun call a timeout with 5:08 remaining in the game. With 1:31 left in the game there was a shot 24 shot clock violation assessed to the Lynx and DiJonai Carrington for the layup bringing the sun within one 79- 80. McBride comes in and gets a back door cut 79-82, Alyssa Thomas scores again bringing the score 81-82 and the 8270 fans are screaming and yelling defense. Carrington draws the charge and coach Reeves challenges that call, and the challenge was deemed unsuccessful. Lindsay Allen is fouled with 19.5 seconds to go, and she makes both of her free throws bringing the score 84 to 81. Sun quickly calls a timeout after the timeout DB goes for a quick layup 83-84. The Lynx held off the Sun winning the ball game 87-82. High scorers for the Lynx were Kayla McBride with 19 points and three assists, one steal, Ariel powers with 14 points and three assists and they shot 57.4% from the field for the Connecticut Sun DB finished with 31 points two assists 3 steals and AT gets another triple double with 17 points 11 assists and 14 rebounds. The next match up between the two will be Tuesday August 1st, 3023 at 7pm.
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