Brionna Jones scored 18 points, Tyasha Harris contributed all 12 of her points in the third quarter, and the Connecticut Sun defeated the short-handed Phoenix Mercury 83-72 on Monday night.
Harris scored the first 10 points for Connecticut in the second half, helping them build a 52-41 lead.
Phoenix made a late push with a 12-3 run, capped by Brittney Griner’s second 3-pointer of the season and Natasha Cloud’s three-point play with 6:07 remaining, bringing them within 70-66. However, they did not score another field goal for the rest of the game.
Connecticut maintained their advantage by making their first 21 free throws before missing one with 57 seconds left. Carrington went 8 for 8 from the line, while Jones made all six of her attempts.
Phoenix, missing Diana Taurasi due to back soreness and Rebecca Allen with a lower back issue, struggled throughout the game. They were 2 of 11 from 3-point range through three quarters and finished 3 of 17.
DiJonai Carrington added 16 points for Connecticut (15-4), which had previously dominated Phoenix 70-47 earlier in the season. Veronica Burton contributed 11 points off the bench, and Alyssa Thomas recorded 10 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. DeWanna Bonner struggled with her shooting, finishing with seven points on 3-of-12 shooting.
For Phoenix (9-10), Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper each scored 21 points, while Natasha Cloud had 18 points and 10 assists.
Cloud ended the first quarter with a floater from the free-throw line to reduce Phoenix’s deficit to 19-17.