Jones gets key block, Connecticut holds off Fever 81-78

May 31, 2023, 02:18 am

UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- — Tiffany Hayes scored 22 points, Brionna Jones had 19 points and 11 rebounds and the Connecticut Sun held off the Indiana Fever 81-78 on Tuesday night.

Rookie Aliyah Boston made her first career 3-pointer to pull Indiana within 79-76 with 48.1 seconds left. After a timeout, DeWanna Bonner missed a contested layup and Indiana raced the other way, but Jones blocked a shot at the rim. Indiana retained possession and Boston made a putback to make it 79-78.

Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds left and made two free throws for a three-point lead. Indiana found Lexie Hull open in the corner for a potential tying shot but her 3-pointer came up short.

Alyssa Thomas added 13 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists and Natisha Hiedeman scored 11 for Connecticut (4-1). Bonner, who started the second half after accidentally getting hit in the face before halftime, finished with eight points and five assists.

Hayes scored a season-high 18 points, on 7-of-9 shooting, to help Connecticut build a 38-34 halftime lead. The Sun led 22-14 after the first quarter but only scored two points in the opening six minutes of the second to trail 26-24.

Boston finished with 20 points and Kelsey Mitchell added 19 points for Indiana (1-3). NaLyssa Smith had 14 points and 15 rebounds. The Fever ended a WNBA record-tying 20-game losing streak with a victory in their last game.

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