By Laura Soukkavong –
SEATTLE — The Connecticut Sun split the opening two games of their five-game road trip this week, falling to the Portland Fire 83-82 before earning their first win of the season Wednesday night with an 80-78 victory over the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.
Connecticut opened the trip Sunday night in Portland, where Brittney Griner matched her season high with 16 points in the one-point loss at the Moda Center. Aneesah Morrow recorded her fourth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Aaliyah Edwards and Hailey Van Lith each added 12 points.
The Sun led 42-38 at halftime against the Fire after a strong second quarter that included a 9-0 run fueled by Griner and Kennedy Burke. Connecticut maintained a narrow lead through much of the third quarter before Portland closed the period on a late run to tie the game at 64 entering the fourth.
The teams exchanged baskets throughout the final quarter before Sug Sutton helped Portland secure the victory in the closing seconds. Connecticut’s bench outscored Portland’s reserves 39-26 in the loss.
The Sun responded Wednesday night against Seattle to improve to 1-5 on the season. Charlisse Leger-Walker led Connecticut with 16 points off the bench, while Nell Angloma and Kennedy Burke each scored 15 points. Aaliyah Edwards finished with 12 points and Raegan Beers added 10 points and eight rebounds.
Connecticut took a 29-23 lead after the first quarter and carried a 46-41 advantage into halftime following a late three-pointer by Burke. The Sun maintained the lead through much of the second half before Seattle mounted a comeback during the fourth quarter behind Lexie Brown and Natisha Hiedeman.
After the Storm briefly took the lead late in regulation, Connecticut answered in the final seconds when Leger-Walker found Burke cutting to the basket for a contested layup and free throw opportunity with 2.8 seconds remaining. Burke converted the play to give the Sun the lead for good.
Connecticut finished the game with advantages in rebounds, points in the paint, fastbreak points and bench scoring. The Sun bench scored 62 points, setting a franchise record for bench points in a single game.
Morrow extended her streak of double-digit scoring performances during the road trip, while Griner moved within one point of 6,000 career points during the loss in Portland.
The Sun continue their road trip Friday night with another matchup against the Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.