UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Leila Lacan led the way with 17 points in just her sixth start of the season, while veteran Tina Charles chipped in 15 as the Connecticut Sun held off the Chicago Sky 71-62 on Wednesday night, snapping a five-game losing streak.
Marina Mabrey poured in 10 points for the Sun (6-26), who improved to 5-11 at home with the win.
The Sky (8-24) were paced by rookie Kamilla Cardoso, who scored 24 points in the loss. Elizabeth Williams recorded a double-double with 12 points and 15 boards, and Rachel Banham added 10. Chicago has now dropped 11 of its last 12 games.
Tensions ran high in the second quarter when Connecticut’s Bria Hartley and Chicago’s Rebecca Allen were ejected after a physical altercation resulted in technical fouls. Sky guard Ariel Atkins also received a technical and was ejected for escalating the incident, according to referee Angelica Suffren. The scuffle led to a lengthy stoppage as officials reviewed the footage.
Already short-handed, the Sky were left with just eight players in the second half. Star rookie Angel Reese missed her sixth straight game due to a back injury.
Connecticut appeared to be cruising with a 55-34 lead midway through the third quarter, but Chicago mounted a fourth-quarter surge. The Sky opened the final period with an 11-0 run, cutting the deficit to single digits for the first time since midway through the second.
Tina Charles halted Connecticut’s scoring drought with a timely 3-pointer at the 5:31 mark of the fourth. She followed it with a midrange jumper on the next trip to push the lead back to nine, 65-56.
Chicago wasn’t done yet. Williams completed a three-point play with 2:32 remaining to make it 67-62, but the Sun responded quickly. Saniya Rivers was fouled on a fast break and hit the free throw, then Lacan scored on a layup to put the game out of reach.
The Sun closed the game on a strong defensive stand, holding off the Sky’s late push and securing a much-needed victory.
