Of all the WNBA games ABC has televised over the years, few have been delayed due to a facility's lighting issues.
Once the staff at Mohegan Sun Arena took care of such a problem Sunday afternoon, their beloved Connecticut Sun (19-10) shined so brightly, few present were even concerned with artificial light.
Forward Asjha Jones led all Sun scorers as the hometown girls endured a seesaw battle from start to finish, and outlasted a fierce effort by the visiting Seattle Storm (18-10), 80-76.
The lead changed hands 17 times.
"We went in there and just knew how to defend," Jones says. "I think we made it work."
The Sun led by as many as 10 and went on a 15-1 run in the third quarter highlighted by A 4-for-4 stretch of three-pointers.
"I thought it was a good win," says Sun coach Mike Thibault. "Seattle was one of the best defensive teams. I thought we did so many good things to win."
The win pushed Connecticut to their sixth straight victory, reaffirmed their first place standing in the eastern conference, and proved before a national viewing audience that this edition of the Sun is indeed a serious WNBA Finals contender, despite losing copious all-star talent like Katie Douglas and Margo Dydek prior the season.
"I was unsure at first," admits Jones. "But I have a lot of trust in this staff, in my coach (Mike Thibault)."
"I remember people talking about it...that it was going to be a rebuilding year " recalls newcomer Svetlana Abrosimova. "It just gives a lot of respect to the coaches and the team. Everyone has stayed together and found a system that works for everybody."
The everybody aspect was embodied in Connecticut's balanced scoring and rebounding. Guard Amber Holt threw in 15 points, while guard Jamie Carey contributed 12, and center Tamika Whitmore 10. Holt collected 5 rebounds, Jones 4, and three players each grabbed 3.
Not a Perfect Storm
Seattle remains without the services of world-renowned center Lauren Jackson, and all-star forward Sheryl Swoopes hobbled through her 6:23 worth of Sunday's game with a sore leg. The team's one bright spot Sunday, guard Sue Bird's game-high 24 points.
"We were in a position to win, and that's what you want when you are on the road," remarks Bird. "But some of the plays didn't go our way."
Perhaps most frustrating for Bird was her attempt to successfully inbound the ball with under five seconds to play and Seattle only trailing by two. The pass went through teammate Swin Cash's hands and eventually out-of bounds, the clinching play for Connecticut.
"We understand what this game meant for us," says Cash. "For some reason, we get in first place in the West and it lasts for less than 24 hours." The loss backs Seattle into second place, half a game behind the West-leading San Antonio Silver Stars.
Season Winding Down
Seattle now visits the Atlanta Dream and Chicago Sky as their eastern road trip progresses. The Sun remain at home, and get a few days rest before the Sky come to Connecticut on Friday, September 5th.
The Seattle-Connecticut matchup though reminds many of 2004, when they played in the WNBA Finals, and some appear eager to see the Storm and Sun challenge one another again for the title in '08.
"There is a chance to play them again," says Cash. "They are the top team in the east and you want to send a message and you want to play well."
