By DJ Harding
The Connecticut Sun dropped their fifth and final game of their post all-star break homestand, now hitting the road with a record of 5-22.
Going into the Sunday afternoon matchup the Sun were coming off of a win against the New York Liberty and were looking to get their first set of back to back wins this season.
Coach Rachid Meziane and his group were hoping to, as he put it multiple times “change the dynamic” of what has been an uphill battle of a season for the Sun.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
One of those uphill battles would be facing Sabrina Ionescu who in Friday’s matchup posted numbers of 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. When I asked coach Meziane about stopping Ionescu this time around after her big game he jokingly said “we won the game she can do the same thing.”
Coach Meziane followed that up with a more serious statement remarking “we cannot control and stop everyone.”
One thing for sure was Connetciut on Sunday couldn’t stop Ionescu as she went on to score a season high 36 points and tally 11 rebounds.
While Ionescu scored 16 of her 36 in the first quarter the Sun stayed in the game only trailing by six points after the first quarter and going into the half only saw the lead increase to seven points.
Connecticut stayed in the game behind their bigs with Tina Charles and Annesah Morrow each having eight points each at half.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
Charles led the way in the loss with 17 points in the contest along with eight boards, while Morrow scored 16 points and was a rebound away from a double-double with nine boards.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
Connecticut wouldn’t outscore New York in any quarter which caused the Liberty lead to grow until the very last quarter where both squads scored 21 points each.
Hartley and Mabrey by the end would also cross double-figures in scoring with Hartley finishing with 12 points, while Mabrey would have 10.
Photo By Tammy McManaway
On the Liberty side former Connecticut Sun player Jonquel Jones would back up Ionescu with 21 points and nine rebounds.
Connecticut now hits the road going on a four game roadtrip starting with the Mercury on Tuesday August 5th at 10:00pm EST.