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Takeaways from the Sun’s opening win over the Mystics

By Natalie Heavren

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots during the WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 25, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss
Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots during the WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 25, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss /
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Sun and their high powered offense defeat the Mystics in the season-opener

UNCASVILLE — The Connecticut Sun opened their season looking like the WNBA heavyweight most project them to be, with an 84-69 win over the Washington Mystics.

A strong third quarter propelled the Sun to victory after a close first half that ended with a 44-41 Sun lead.

Early foul troubles plagued the Sun

The Sun finished the first half with 10 personal fouls and went through stretches of accumulating fouls quickly. The team tallied three fouls in the first 80 seconds of the second quarter.

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Shekinna Stricklen and Morgan Tuck were the only two players for the Sun with two team fouls, but it limited their minutes. Stricklen played the first 7:10 and did not reenter the game after picking up her second foul. Tuck, who replaced Stricklen, played just 4:10 during which she made two threes.

When asked about the number of fouls committed by his team head coach Curt Miller said, “Fouls have been a big story for us. We led the league, unfortunately, in percentage of points by opponents scored at the foul line. So it’s been a little bit of an Achilles heel that we foul too much.”

The team finished the game with 19 personal fouls on the game and the Mystics were able to capitalize on their opportunities at the line finishing 12-15.

Alyssa Thomas provided an early spark that didn’t dull

Thomas had 10 of the Sun’s 22 first quarter points, something that helped them fight through early shooting troubles.

After the game, she said, “I’ve been here longer than anybody so I think I have a huge role in bringing the energy from the start. I’m just coming out hard whether that’s scoring or whether that’s creating for my teammates.”

Thomas finished the game going 11-15 for a game-high 23 points, as well as four assists and eight rebounds.

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots during the WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 25, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss
Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots during the WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 25, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss /

“Big game by Alyssa Thomas, [it] really got us going off the pick and roll,” said Miller after the game.

He later added, “You know some nights she’s the facilitator, tonight she was the finisher. There was a lot of attention given to Jonquel [Jones], and understandably so. And so it left Alyssa on some one on one opportunities and she had a great night finishing against size she had a great night in that lane area where she makes her money and is one of the best of the league in that area. And tonight she was forced to go finish they didn’t bring a lot of doubles to her. They stayed at home on JJ [Jonquel Jones] and she did a great job finishing around the rim.”

Thomas was characteristically understated about herself after the game.

“You know I’m just out there trying to play, trying to play for my teammates, and bring the energy,” Thomas said. She did all that and more.

Deep bench will help the team this season

The only two players that did not step on the court for the Sun were the two rookies, Kristine Anigwe and Bridget Carleton. Though the bench tallied only 24 of the team’s points, they played valuable minutes for the team.

After the game, Miller was asked about the play from the bench and he focused on two players, Morgan Tuck and Rachel Banham.

“Tuck [was] a huge spark for us off the bench and then picked up her second foul. So her minutes are deceiving. There’s confidence between Morgan and I, and she would have logged more minutes if she would have stayed out of foul trouble in that first half. Rachel gave us some offense. I think she’ll be disappointed with some of the missed assignments but really gave us an offensive spark.”

Connecticut Sun guard Rachel Banham (1) drives to the basket during the WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 25, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss
Connecticut Sun guard Rachel Banham (1) drives to the basket during the WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on May 25, 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Poss /

Tuck finished with eight points and two rebounds in 13.5 minutes and Banham finished with seven points and a steal in 11.5 minutes.

The Sun take on the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. before heading on the road for the first time this season.

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