The Connecticut Sun had all-star forward DeWanna Bonner in the lineup for the first time this season and she scored 16 points in a 92-65 road victory against the New York Liberty on Tuesday night.
Bonner, who had been playing in the Turkish League playoffs, became one of the centerpieces of the Sun’s offense by shooting 5-for-11 from the field.
Connecticut reserves Natisha Hiedeman and Brionna Jones had 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Jonquel Jones posted 13 points and Alyssa Thomas had 12 points.
Connecticut (2-1) also had guard Courtney Williams in the starting lineup as she came off a two-game suspension to begin the season. She recorded four points and an assist.
The Sun avenged a season-opening loss to the Liberty (1-4), which has lost four in a row. Betnijah Laney’s 16 points paced New York, which was particularly hurt by 29 turnovers because the shooting percentages for both teams were relatively even for most of the game.
Laney made four of the Liberty’s seven 3-point baskets. Stefanie Dolson supplied 13 points and a game-high seven rebounds for New York.
The Sun connected on 25 of 28 free throws, led by Bonner’s 5-for-5 mark. Jones was also a perfect 4-for-4. The Liberty went 14-for-18 on foul shots, though nearly half of those attempts came in the waning minutes.
Connecticut held a 51-32 halftime lead and expanded the edge to 71-45 through three quarters. New York didn’t score in the last three minutes of the third quarter as the Sun began a stretch of posting 12 consecutive points that stretched into the fourth quarter.
The Liberty led 15-13 before the Sun put together a 16-0 run. Hiedeman had the first five points of that spurt.
Connecticut, which has strung together back-to-back blowout victories, outscored New York by 33-17 in the second quarter.
The Liberty went 0-3 on the homestand and won’t play against at home until June 1.
–Field Level Media
