By DJ Harding
The Connecticut Sun suited up for the one and only preseason game tonight facing the New York Liberty.
When asked about having only one preseason game coach Stephanie White said pregame “Of course I’d love to have two. But it’s based on a lot of factors.” White then stated “We only have one and we are going to make the most of it.”
Moriah Jefferson, who was acquired during the offseason by Connecticut did not dress for the Sun’s preseason matchup. Jefferson is battling back from an offseason ankle injury and fans will have to wait until the regular season to see Jefferson.
Coach White spoke on Jefferson’s injury pregame saying “She’s battling through an off-season injury so we will play the long game like we will with Brionna Jones.”
Jones did make an appearance in the game playing his first minutes of Connecticut Sun basketball since June of last season. Jones played 10 minutes dishing out six assists and grabbing two rebounds and didn’t get on the scoreboard in her limited time on the floor.
Jones postgame said “it felt great to be back out there.”
The Sun had a slow start to their preseason matchup going down 23-15 after the first quarter. New York took the lead behind five points from both Sabrina Ionescu and Ivana Dojkić.
Ionescu scored 15 by the end of the game which led the New York Liberty, Dojkić finished with eight points.
Connecticut climbed back into the game in the second quarter bringing the score within three. The Liberty held a 43-40 lead going into halftime while Rachel Banham was the game’s highest scorer at the half with 14 points including four 3 pointers.
Banham signed with the Sun this past offseason returning to Connecticut after spending her first four seasons with the Sun. Banham ended the game with 20 points which was a game high.
Banham commented postgame on being back and said “it’s fun and especially being with a group of veterans we just go out there and play ball.”
The Liberty extended their lead by the end of the third quarter going from three points to six with a 65-59 lead. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton had 14 points through three quarters which was second most behind Ionescu who scored 15 points after three quarters.
On the Connecticut side behind Banham who had 17 after three, DeWanna Bonner helped with 16 points of her own through three quarters of play. Coach White Pregame said Bonner and Alyssa Thomas were the “heart and soul of this franchise.”.
Bonner didn’t play in the fourth quarter and finished the night with one rebound and one assist to go with those 16 points. While Thomas, who also didn’t play in the fourth had two points that went along with seven assists and four rebounds.
The Sun battled back and made it close but in the end the Liberty pulled away and won 82-79.
Brionna Jones said postgame “there were some crusty moments but some moments the offense flowed and we have practice to go back and prepare for our first game.”
That first game will take place next Tuesday on May 14 when the Connecticut Sun open the season against the Indiana Fever.
Tip-Off is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.
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