PHOENIX (AP) — Brionna Jones had 18 points, Tyasha Harris scored all 12 of her points in the third quarter and the Connecticut Sun beat the short-handed Phoenix Mercury 83-72 on Monday night.
Harris scored Connecticut’s opening 10 points of the second half to help build a 52-41 lead.
Phoenix center Brittney Griner made her second 3-pointer of the season and Natasha Cloud completed a three-point play with 6:07 remaining to cap a 12-3 run and get within 70-66. But the Mercury didn’t make another field goal the rest of the way.
The Sun maintained their lead at the free-throw line, making their first 21 before a miss with 57 seconds left. Carrington finished 8 of 8 at the stripe, while Jones made all six of her attempts.
Phoenix, which was coming off an 88-82 loss to Indiana on Sunday, struggled without Diana Taurasi (back soreness) and Rebecca Allen (lower back). The Mercury were just 2 of 11 from 3-point range through three quarters before finishing 3 of 17.
DiJonai Carrington added 16 points for Connecticut (15-4), which routed Phoenix 70-47 earlier this season. Veronica Burton added 11 points off the bench and Alyssa Thomas had 10 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. DeWanna Bonner struggled from the field, going 3 of 12 to finish with seven points.
Griner and Kahleah Copper each scored 21 points for Phoenix (9-10). Cloud added 18 points and 10 assists.
Cloud beat the first-quarter buzzer with a floater from the free-throw line to cut Phoenix’s deficit to 19-17.
___
