Sun knocks off Sky, 83-68
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Ten days ago Tina Charles scored a season-low 8 points against the Chicago Sky in the Connecticut Sun’s only loss of the season, but Sunday she had a career high against the Sky.
Charles scored 31 points as the Sun (4-1) assumed sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with an 83-68 victory over Chicago at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut leads Chicago (3-2) by a game.
“We didn’t show some discipline on defense,” Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. “You can’t do that against anyone in this league, let alone a well-coached team.”
Charles scored 11 in the final quarter, and finished the game with 11 rebounds.
“Every game I need to go out and take it more personal,” Charles said.
“You could tell early in the game that Tina was aggressive about presenting herself to her teammates,” Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. “Our players did a good job getting her the ball where she could score.”
Charles’ 31 points came against Sky center Sylvia Fowles. Charles and Fowles may be the two centers on the U.S. Olympic team next summer in London.
“They push each other and make each other better,” Thibault said.
Fowles had 23 points and 10 rebounds, but Chicago trailed by 15 at the half, and never got closer than 8 points. Sky guard Epiphanny Prince played well in the loss, scoring 18 points, with teammate Cathrine Kraayeveld adding 13. Kara Lawson added 13 points for the Sun off the bench.
The Sky stays on the road and will face the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, then returns to Allstate Arena on Thursday to play the Sun again.