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Thornton, Wings beat Sun 89-79, force deciding Game 3

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Kayla Thornton scored 20 points and Teaira McCowan had 17 points and 11 rebounds to help the Dallas Wings beat the Connecticut Sun 89-79 on Sunday in Game 2 of the best-of-three series and avoid elimination.

The sixth-seeded Wings, who will host Wednesday's Game 3, never trailed en route to winning the franchise's first playoff game since 2009. They led by double digits for the final 26-plus minutes, despite a 22-2 fourth-quarter run that trimmed a 31-point Sun deficit to 84-73 with less than 2 minutes left.

'œI think we have to learn how to capitalize,'ť McCowan said. 'œWith us being a young team, you know, sometimes we get a little sloppy - as you could see at the end. But, I mean, once we tighten that up, it'll be good for the next game.'ť

Allisha Gray had 15 points, eight assists and three steals for the Wings, and Marina Mabrey scored 14 points.

Jonquel Jones had 20 points and nine rebounds for third-seeded Connecticut, and Brionna Jones also scored 20. DiJonai Carrington added 13 points.

'œI knew I had to go in and do what I do best, which is rebound, be a dominant force inside, and that's what I did tonight for my teammates'ť said McCowan, who had seven points and five rebounds in Game 1.

"We have to put our talent to work. I mean, we know what we can do. We have great players on our team so if everyone plays their role, plays team offense and defense, we'll be fine.

Dallas shot 48% (36 of 75) from the field, made 11 of 26 (42.3%) from 3-point range and finished with 28 assists.

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Dallas Wings center Teaira McCowan (7) pulls down a rebound over Connecticut Sun guard Nia Clouden (11) and center Brionna Jones (42) during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Dallas Wings forward Kayla Thornton wins the rebounding battle with Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones and forward DeWanna Bonner in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones (42) fouls Dallas Wings center Teaira McCowan (7) while battling for a rebound during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) celebrates after being fouled on a basket in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones pulls down a rebound over Dallas Wings guard Marina Mabrey and guard Allisha Gray and teammates Alyssa Thomas (25) in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) blocks a shot-attempt by Dallas Wings forward Isabelle Harrison (20) during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones and Dallas Wings center Teaira McCowan (7) tangle over a rebound in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally (0) fouls Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones (42) as Wings center Teaira McCowan, right, helps on defense during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones (42 fouls Dallas Wings center Teaira McCowan (7) during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
Connecticut Sun guard Odyssey Sims (1) embraces Dallas Wings forward Isabelle Harrison (20) after the Wings defeated the Sun 89-79 in a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP) The Associated Press
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