DeWanna Bonner erupts with 35 points to help Phoenix Mercury bounce back against Connecticut Sun…
On Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena, DeWanna Bonner racked up 35 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to help Phoenix Mercury get past Connecticut Sun 91-82. It was a good rebound win for Mercury, who were coming into the game after
suffering a 28 point loss against New York Liberty just two days ago.
“I was a tough night in New York,'' said Bonner, ``Losing by (almost) 40 will kind of motivate any team. I had to do better.”
While Bonner did the damage from long range, shooting 6 of 11, Diana Taurasi also made her way to 16 points in just 18 minutes.
The main factor which helped Phoenix in their win was the rebounding advantage. They grabbed 45 rebounds in comparison to Connecticut’s 21 with Krystal Thomas being the key contributor in that department, with 16 to go with just
3 points.
From the other side Renee Montgomery was the key contributor with 25 points while Tina Charles provided mustered 18 points.
However, the overall display by the whole of Connecticut roster was not up to the mark of the team that is ranked number one in the Eastern Conference and Kara Lawson who ended the night with 8 points certainly felt that her side
is not playing up to the playoff standards.
“The brand of basketball we're playing right now, we can't win in the playoffs because we don't have the focus and the execution that's necessary right now. It's in us. The wheels aren't falling off, but this was disappointing.''
Phoenix, who never trailed in the ball game, made a bright start as they raced out to a 7-0 lead early and continued to pile the pressure, leading 26-16 at the end of the first period. An 11-2 run to start the second quarter further
helped their cause as Phoenix made their way to a 37-18 advantage and took a double figure advantage into the break.
Taurasi and Bonner made back to back three pointers to start the second half and helped Phoenix further prolong their advantage and never really looked in trouble on the night. Connecticut, were able to make their way back into
the game as they cut the lead down to 6. But Phoenix held their nerve from the stripe and closed out the game.
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