UNCASVILLE — Former UConn star Breanna Stewart scored 28 points as the New York Liberty posted an 89-80 victory over the Connecticut Sun in a WNBA game at Mohegan Sun Arena Monday night.
Brittney Griner was out with a rib injury, so the Sun started both former UConn centers Aaliyah Edwards, who scored 15 points with five rebounds, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who had 15 points and eight rebounds. Aneesah Morrow was out with a leg sprain. The Liberty were also missing two starters, Sabrina Ionescu (back) and Jonquel Jones, who was honored by the Sun before the game, but was a late scratch due to illness.
New York (8-4), second to Atlanta in the Eastern Conference, beat the last-place Sun (2-11) for the second time this season. The franchise’s last season in Connecticut has yet to show signs of being a memorable one, though they have kept many games close, and this was no exception.
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The Liberty took a 23-18 lead at the first quarter break. With her team depleted, Stewart, who also had nine rebounds and three assists, had to carry the Liberty scoring load, and she scored 10 in the second quarter, 14 in the half, as New York maintained a slim lead, 38-35, at the break. Another ex-UConn star, Edwards, was leading the Sun, who were sharing the ball effectively, with eight points in the first half.
The Liberty opened up a 10-point lead with a spurt to start the third quarter, holding the Sun scoreless for 3 1/2 minutes. New York led by as much as 13, taking control of the game in the third, and led by nine going into the fourth.
Diamond Miller opened the last quarter with a long three to get the Sun back within six, and Nelson-Ododa developed the hot shooting touch around the basket as Connecticut stayed in the game, but got no closer.
Han Xu scored 14 for the Liberty, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton scored 11. For the Sun, Diamond Miller added 10. Connecticut goes on the road to play Toronto, then returns home Saturday to host the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark.
