Vandersloot shines in her home debut

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ROSEMONT, IL - JUNE 10: Epiphanny Prince #10 of the Chicago Sky dribbles the ball as Kara Lawson #20 of the Connecticut Sun follows along side during the WNBA game on June 10, 2011 at the All-State Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

Updated: August 3, 2011 7:17PM

It didn’t take long for Courtney Vandersloot to get rid of her rookie jitters.

Playing at home for the first time, Vandersloot hit a three-pointer about a minute into the game and scored 18 points as the Sky held on for a 78-75 victory over the  Connecticut Sun before a crowd of 6,609 on Friday night at Allstate Arena.

After Connecticut (1-1) tied the game at 73 on an Asjha Jones jumper, Sylvia Fowles put the Sky back on top with a short turnaround.

The Sun’s Renee Montgomery missed a leaner on the other end and, following a Fowles free throw, Kara Lawson was off target on a desperation heave.

Like the Indiana Fever in the season opener, the Sun sent early double teams at Fowles. But unlike the opener, Fowles aggressively passed out of the post to open shooters — including Vandersloot.

Vandersloot, the third overall pick in the draft, hit all four of her three-point attempts in the first half and was 7-for-10 from the field for the game. Vandersloot added five assists in 30 minutes.

Vandersloot’s hot shooting opened things up for Fowles, who scored 17 of her game-high 23 points after halftime. Fowles, who got 1-on-1 looks for most of the second half, pulled down 13 rebounds and blocked three shots.

“[Sylvia’s] better when the people around her are better,” Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. “There’s not as much pressure on her and she feels more comfortable.”

The Sky built a 13-point lead early in the second quarter, but it let the Sun back in the game with wasted possessions and missed free throws. The Sky went 3-for-8 from the line in the first 20 minutes as the Sun closed the half on a 17-6 run.

After the Sun tied the game at 37 seconds into the third quarter, the Sky (1-1) answered with a 15-4 run. Vandersloot was key during the stretch, scoring four points and assisting on two other baskets.

“They’re a well-coached team and we knew we had to keep them out of plays they’re comfortable with,” Chatman said. “It was good to stay with the game plan.”

Montgomery scored 22 for the Sun and Jones had 20.