Sun overtake Mystics in East standings with victory

img
DeWanna Bonner and the Connecticut Sun sit atop the Eastern Conference. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Connecticut Sun went on a 17-5 run through the last five minutes of their Saturday night matchup with Washington to clinch a 79-71 win over the Mystics.

DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas and Courtney Williams all notched 14 points to overpower the Mystics down the stretch.

Connecticut, led by assistant Chris Koclanes as coach Curt Miller is out due to COVID-19 protocols, outshot Washington 49.1 percent to 40 percent from the field while also outrebounding the Mystics 41-19.

“I think rebounding has always been our identity,” Thomas said. “We’ve kind of been lacking to start the season, so definitely one of the things we want to pick up, and it’s been a huge emphasis for us. We played good defense, and we were allowing teams to get offensive rebounds, so it was important for all of us … to come in and secure the rebounds when we’re working that hard.”

Off the court, Connecticut and Washington joined forces, using their platforms during the game to bring awareness to gun violence after the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX.

Saturday’s victory lifts the Sun atop the Eastern Conference standings, improving to a 6-2 record, while the Mystics fall to second with a 6-3 start to the season.