Tina Charles had 24 points as the Connecticut Sun played their best game of the season, romping past the visiting Golden State Valkyries 95-64 Sunday at Uncasville, Conn.
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Sun (4-20) and saw them set season highs in points, steals (14) and shooting percentage in a game (53.0). Connecticut trailed only once — after the game’s first basket by Golden State.
Golden State shot just 33.9 percent during its worst loss of the season. The Valkyries (11-13) are 3-9 on the road.
Offensively, Golden State struggled as it looks to adapt to playing without star Kayla Thornton, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Iliana Rupert led Golden State with 13 points off the bench.
Charles, who was questionable due to illness, started and demonstrated her usual array of inside hook shots and jumpers from outside. She was 8 of 11 from the field and 7 of 7 from the free-throw line. Marina Mabrey and Bria Hartley each had 15 points for the Sun.
The Sun also got a boost from rookie Aneesah Morrow, who made just her third start of the season and had a game-high 11 rebounds.
After Golden State scored the first basket, Connecticut surged to an early 12-6 lead with Charles converting on a three-point play after connecting on a hook shot in the lane.
Golden State finished the first quarter on a 6-2 run started by a Rupert trey to make it 23-15 after one quarter.
The Sun played one of its best quarters of the season in the second. Jacy Sheldon drained a 3-pointer, then had a steal and a basket to score five points in 11 seconds and build the Sun lead up to 32-15. The first-half lead would be as big as 19.
The Valkyries responded with a 9-0 run that included four points from Veronica Burton. They got as close as nine points, but Connecticut finished the half on a 9-2 run over the last 1:17 and led 49-33 at the half.
Connecticut broke things wide open in the second half, opening the third quarter on an 11-0 run that included a long three by Mabrey and six points by Charles.
–Field Level Media
