Sky snaps 9-game skid with 82-70 win over Sun
AP August 26, 2012 7:14PM
Chicago Sky's Shay Murphy snags an offensive rebound against the Connecticut Sun during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Uncasville, Conn., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012. Chicago won 82-70. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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Updated: August 26, 2012 7:16PM
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Epiphanny Prince scored 15 points and the short-handed Chicago Sky snapped a nine-game losing streak with an 82-70 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.
Olympic center Sylvia Fowles and forward Tamara Young missed the game because of personal reasons. Sky coach Pokey Chatman said Young had a death in the family.
Reserve center Carolyn Swords started in Fowles’ absence and had a career-high 14 points and added six rebounds for the Sky (9-14). Swin Cash had 14 points and six rebounds, and Courtney Vandersloot added 11 assists and four steals.
Allison Hightower had 17 points and five assists for the Eastern Conference-leading Sun (17-6). Connecticut played its fifth straight game without Olympic forward Asjha Jones, sidelined by a strained left Achilles tendon.
Kara Lawson had 16 points and six assists for Connecticut, and Tina Charles added 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
The Sun could have clinched a playoff berth with a win and a New York Liberty loss Sunday night at the Seattle Storm.
Chicago outhustled and outplayed the Sun. Chicago made 10 3-pointers and shot 46.5-percent from the field. The Sky also had a 38-26 rebounding advantage.
Chicago trailed 50-41 with over 6 minutes left in the third quarter, then closed the period with a 20-5 run.
Cash made a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to four points late in the quarter. Le’Coe Willingham followed with a turnaround bank shot and a wide-open 3-pointer to put Chicago ahead.
A turnover led to Cash’s layup. She closed the quarter with a wide-open 3-pointer from the top to give the Sky a 61-55 lead they never relinquished.
