Connecticut Sun @ Atlanta Dream
Bonner scores 20, Thomas nearly has a triple-double as Sun beats Dream 86-78
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. -- — DeWanna Bonner scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Alyssa Thomas almost had another triple-double and Connecticut nearly blew a 20-point lead before the Sun beat the Atlanta Dream 86-78 Saturday.
Connecticut (17-6), which beat the Dream 82-71 on the road Thursday to snap their seven-game win streak, has won five of its last six games.
Thomas finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Natasha Heideman, who hit 5 of 8 from 3-point range, also scored 15 points for the Sun and Rebecca Allen added 11.
Bonner hit a free throw with 3:44 left in the second quarter to give Connecticut a 20-point lead but Connecticut went scoreless until Thomas hit a running floater almost two minutes into the second half. The Sun went seven-plus minutes to close the first half and open the second without a made field goal, missing 10 consecutive shots during Atlanta’s run that erased most of its 20-point deficit.
Nia Coffey made a layup with 7:29 left in the third quarter that capped a 22-3 run and trimmed Atlanta's deficit to 47-46. Allen answered with a 3-pointer 13 seconds later and Bonner followed with a layup and the Dream never again threatened.
Rhyne Howard led Atlanta (12-10) with 22 points but made just 5 of 18 from the field. Allisha Gray and Cheyenne Parker scored 17 points apiece and Aari McDonald added 14.
The Dream shot just 28.8% (19 of 66) from the field and made 6 of 26 (23.1%) but hit 30 of 37 from the free-throw line and scored 20 points off 13 Connecticut turnover
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Regular Season Series
CONN wins 3-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Isaac Barnett
- Randy Richardson
- Blanca Burns
2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 30 | 14 | .682 | - | W6 |
| New York | 27 | 17 | .614 | 3 | W3 |
| Indiana | 24 | 20 | .545 | 6 | W3 |
| Washington | 16 | 28 | .364 | 14 | L10 |
| Connecticut | 11 | 33 | .250 | 19 | L2 |
| Chicago | 10 | 34 | .227 | 20 | L4 |

