Tina Charles shines as Connecticut Sun beat Washington Mystics 79-71 – WNBA Recap
Tina Charles scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds as the Connecticut Sun beat Washington Mystics 79-71 on Thursday night at the Verizon Center. Renee Montgomery added 23 points, five assists, and two
rebounds while Tan White came off the bench with 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals for the Connecticut.
The Mystics were led by Kelly Miller, who scored 19 points, five assists, two rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Guard Matee Ajavon contributed 11 points and five rebounds while Nicky Anosike had 10 points and a game best 13
rebounds.
First Quarter
The Sun scored the first four points of the first quarter to take initial lead and maintained their rhythm, stretching their lead to 11 points, 17-6, with 03:08 to go in the quarter. Mystics though bounced back a bit and scored
the next five points trim the deficit to six points, 11-17.
Walker’s pair of free throw, Griffin’s jumper, and a driving lay-up by White in the last minute of the frame, however restored a double digit lead and gave Sun a 23-11 advantage, heading into the second period.
Second Quarter
Although Connecticut stretched the lead to 31-14 early in the second quarter, but the Washington Mystics mounted a vociferous comeback and reeled off a 23-9 spurt, reducing the gap to three points, 40-37, with just four seconds
to go in the first half. Montgomery however hit a three at the buzzer to make it 43-37 for Connecticut at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Mystics outplayed the Sun in the third quarter as well but they could not take the lead. Connecticut did not let go of their lead despite Washington’s best efforts and carried a 60-57 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The Mystics came out with all guns blazing in the fourth quarter and remained within a striking distance early. They continued to mount the pressure on the Sun back court and finally took a one point lead, 65-64, on an Anosike
jump shot midway through the frame. Connecticut however responded and scored on four of the next five possessions to take a 73-65 lead.
Miller’s three-pointer and Langhorne’s lay-up within the next minute cut the deficit to three, 73-70, with 02:32 remaining in the fourth. However, Sun finished the game with a 6-1 surge to seal the victory.
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