Sun shut down Dream in fourth quarter, win 72-61
ATLANTA -- — Courtney Williams scored 17 points, Alyssa Thomas added 15 and Connecticut held Atlanta to one field goal in the final seven minutes, defeating the Dream 72-61 on Sunday.
Thomas also had 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Sun (13-6). Williams grabbed 10 rebounds and DeWanna Bonner added 12 points.
Aari McDonald had 17 points and Rhyne Howard scored 12 for Atlanta (8-10).
Connecticut led by 11 points heading to the fourth quarter before a 3-pointer from McDonald and a pull-up 20-footer by Howard drew the Dream within seven with 7:04 remaining. However, the Dream went the next four minutes without a point and would make one more field goal the rest of the game — a 20-footer by Cheyenne Parker with 1:47 remaining.
Atlanta finished the game at 33% from the field and made just 5 of 19 3-pointers.
With Connecticut leading 58-51, Natisha Hiedeman hit a 3-pointer to put the Sun back up by 10 with 6:34 remaining. Courtney Williams added a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 64-51. Those were Connecticut's only two made 3-pointers in 20 attempts. The Sun shot 42% overall.
The Sun outscored the Dream 20-5 in the second quarter to build a 39-22 halftime lead.
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Regular Season Series
CONN leads 2-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Jeff Smith
- Maj Forsberg
- Clave Smith
2023-24 Eastern Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | - | W1 |
Connecticut | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.5 | - |
New York | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.5 | - |
Indiana | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1 | L1 |
Washington | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1 | L1 |
Chicago | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1 | L1 |