By DJ Harding
After falling to their Storm at the beginning of the week Connecticut would get back into the win column defeating the defending champions.
The last time out against the Liberty was one Connecticut would hope to forget falling in New York 100-52. But the Sun team then isn’t the same that played Friday night.
Coach Rachid Meziane pregame was asked about the difference in this Sun group now.
“Play as a team, first thing i want to say at that time we weren’t playing as a team but now we are.”
One of the many differences besides the team playing better together is also Leila Lecan who joined the team after the New York loss. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello spoke about Lecan pregame saying “I love her, she was on our draft board as well.”
Photo By Tammy McManaway
Lecan in the win would score 16 points which was the second highest on the team. Lecan also grabbed four rebounds and tally an assist in her 23 minutes of play off the bench.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa also scored 16 points off the bench making Nelson-Ododa and Lecan responsible for the 32 bench points the Sun scored compared to 16 by the Liberty.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
Connecticut would get good production from their starters as Marina Mabrey led the way with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, leaving her two assists shy of a triple double.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
Tina Charles also added 15 points in the starting lineup along with three steals, three assists, and four rebounds.
Charles would shift the momentum in Connecticut favor at halftime when she hit a buzzer beater giving the Sun a 44-37 lead.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
Coach Rachid Postgame gave a statement to the media. In part of that statement he said “it’s a great team win.”
For the Connecticut Sun franchise it’s their first home win against New York since July 19, 2022 I asked Coach Meziane about ending the home losing streak to New York “I didn’t know, so I’m just focused on winning and momentum but it’s cool.”
Connecticut can gain that momentum and make it two home wins against New York on Sunday when they face the Liberty again with tip-off at 1:00 PM EST