By DJ Harding
The Connecticut Sun found themselves on the road for the first time this season after playing the first two games of their 2024 campaign at home.
The Sun would face a familiar opponent the Indiana Fever who Connecticut faced in the season opener.
Connecticut traveled into Indiana 2-0 after defeating the Washington Mystics on Friday. Indiana meanwhile came into the matchup 0-3 after dropping back to back games to the New York Liberty after losing the season opener.
For Coach Stephanie White it was a return to a place she calls home. White an Indiana native also spent time with the Fever as a player and a coach. When asked about being back in Indiana she said “It’s always special.”
Less than a week ago the Sun dominated in its season opener against the Fever with a 92-71 win but this time around wouldn’t be as easy.
As Alyssa Thomas said postgame “They came out ready to play.”
The first quarter saw a run by both teams but by the end of quarter number one the game was all knotted up at 26 points a piece.
Alyssa Thomas scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Caitlin Clark had eight points after the first.
Thomas ended the night with a game high 24 points, a game high 14 rebounds, and a game high 9 assists. Thomas was one assist shy of a triple double while getting her third double double of the season.
Thomas played all 40 minutes in this matchup. While going the distance Thomas became the first WNBA player to have a game with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Clark scored 17 points which tied the Fevers game high. Clark also added five assists in a losing effort.
The Fever took the lead in the second and at halftime held a slim 44-41 lead. NaLyssa Smith and Kelsey Mitchell had 10 and 12 points respectively going into the half. Brionna Jones for the Sun reached 8 points as the Sun stayed close.
Smith ended with 13 points and six rebounds, while Mitchell had 17 points tying Clark for the team’s game high. Mitchell also dished out five assists in the loss.
Jones, still on a minutes restriction, finished with those same eight points along with grabbing four rebounds and having two steals in the win.
Coming out of the half Connecticut took the lead back and would have a three point lead of their own going into the final quarter. Up 64-61 this quarter was led by DeWanna Bonner who scored 13 points in the third quarter.
Bonner through three quarters had 19 points and had 22 points by the end of the night.
Connecticut in the fourth pulled out a gutsy win that came down to the wire. The Sun by the end of the buzzer would win 88-84.
For the Sun Tyasha Harris and Dijonia Carrington both had good performances to help boost the Sun.
Harris finished with 16 points and two assists. Carrington ended with 14 points and six rebounds along with a steal and a block.
For Indiana Aaliyah Boston had 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Temi Fagbenle had a great night off the bench for the Fever with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Coach White spoke on the win postgame saying “Everyone contributed and this is what it’s going to take to get wins in this league.”
The Sun improved to 3-0 and when ask how to stay disciplined Alyssa Thomas said postgame “Is about focusing on us and getting better”
Coach White was also asked the same question and responded by saying “stay the course.”
For Connecticut the course is going back to Mohegan Sun Arena to play the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday.
Tip-Off is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST as the Sun look to improve to 4-0.