Phoenix remains perfect vs. losing teams as Alyssa Thomas shines in return to Connecticut
UNCASVILLE (CT)–The Phoenix Mercury opened with a 10–0 run and never trailed in an 83–75 win over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Alyssa Thomas, playing her first game back in Connecticut after 11 seasons with the Sun, posted 14 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds for Phoenix (9–4), which won its third straight and improved to 5–0 against teams with losing records.
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Satou Sabally had a strong night with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Lexi Held added 14 points, Kahleah Copper scored 13, and Kitija Laksa contributed 11.
Connecticut (2–10) was led by Aneesah Morrow’s 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Olivia Nelson-Ododa recorded 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Phoenix built a 16–2 lead early in the first quarter and extended it to 35–16 in the second. The Sun rallied to cut the deficit to 39–34 late in the half, but the Mercury responded with a 9–2 run before the break.
Though Connecticut trimmed the lead to seven multiple times in the second half, Phoenix held steady. Copper had eight points in the fourth quarter, and Thomas added five assists to help close it out.
The Mercury collected nine steals, with Held and Monique Akoa Makani each grabbing two.
Jacy Sheldon started at point guard for the Sun and finished with 13 points before being ejected along with Lindsay Allen in the final minute. Allen did not score in her five minutes of play.
Connecticut had 20 assists on 25 made field goals. Marina Mabrey led the team with seven assists.
–Field Level Media
