UNCASVILLE — The Connecticut Solar regarded the equals of the third-place Atlanta Dream for 3 and a half quarters, however the staff couldn’t carry the momentum by means of the ultimate buzzer in a 93-76 loss on Monday at Mohegan Solar Area.
It was the Solar’s second straight loss after falling to the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday, and they’re going to face the Dream twice extra within the final 4 regular-season video games of 2025.
“I believe we misplaced in opposition to Minnesota as a result of they have been a greater staff they usually performed a greater recreation than us, however I believe (Monday) that wasn’t the case,” Solar coach Rachid Meziane stated. “Atlanta is a good staff, however we confirmed excellent issues within the first half after which we forgot our toughness within the locker room. We didn’t come again within the second half with what was required to win this recreation.
“It was a winnable recreation. We stopped enjoying protection within the final quarter, and we gave up the sport.”
On the day the Solar have been freely giving bobbleheads of veteran Tina Charles, the UConn legend delivered 22 factors and eight rebounds whereas taking pictures 50% from the sector. Rookie Leila Lacan had one other standout efficiency with 17 factors, 4 assists, two steals and a block, and Marina Mabrey added 12 factors plus three assists.
It wasn’t sufficient to beat a balanced effort from Atlanta’s trio of All-Stars. Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 23 factors, three assists and two steals, whereas MVP candidate Allisha Grey added 17 factors plus 5 rebounds. Former Connecticut star Brionna Jones posted a double-double with 10 factors and 11 rebounds. Atlanta completed with 5 gamers scoring in double-digits, additionally getting 17 factors from ahead Naz Hillmon and 15 from guard Jordin Canada off the bench in her first look since a hamstring damage on Aug. 10.
“That group, that core of Naz and Allisha and Rhyne, they’re all greatest buddies, all there for one another they usually maintain one another accountable,” stated Charles, who performed for Atlanta in 2024. “They take constructive criticism very well, all of them simply wish to be nice, they usually’re very unselfish. … Seeing them flip the nook this late within the season and them being within the playoff hunt and being within the high three is simply actually nice to see. They’re going to be a tough matchup for the groups within the playoffs.”
The Solar led for almost the whole first quarter getting out to a scorching offensive begin from the sector. The staff shot 56.2% from the sector, however Atlanta took a late lead after it started to warmth up from 3-point vary. Howard hit her first of the sport after an 0-for-3 begin to give the Dream their first lead of the sport within the closing two minutes, and Connecticut went 0-for-7 from past the arc within the opening quarter.
Atlanta continued to roll into the second quarter, hitting a pair of 3-pointers within the first minute, opening up a seven-point lead. However after forcing only a single turnover within the first, the Solar turned up the defensive warmth to generate their transition offense. Rookie ahead Aneesah Morrow shifted the momentum again in Connecticut’s favor with a steal that she transformed for an and-1 hook shot on the different finish, and he or she additionally made a crucial block in opposition to Te-Hina Paopao a minute later to stop the Dream from regaining a two-score lead.
The Solar additionally held Atlanta with no subject aim for almost 5 minutes heading to complete the half, occurring a 10-2 run to open its largest lead of the sport and enter halftime forward 48-42.
The Dream responded early within the third quarter, which grew to become a nonstop back-and-forth with 4 ties and 5 lead adjustments. Connecticut continued its chilly streak from past the arc going the whole second half with no make on 5 makes an attempt, although they managed to additionally restrict Atlanta to simply two 3-pointers within the third. Rookie Saniya Rivers grabbed her second steal of the sport and took it coast-to-coast for a buzzer-beater layup to finish the quarter, sending the Solar into the fourth trailing 68-67.
However Connecticut struggled to regulate to a good whistle from the officers all recreation, and foul hassle in the end value them badly down the stretch. The Solar gave up 23 factors on free throws whereas attending to the road simply 14 occasions for 12 factors compared. Frustration and fatigue began to point out as Atlanta widened its result in 11 factors with below three minutes to play after a 9-0 run, and Connecticut didn’t hit one other subject aim till there was lower than a minute remaining on the clock.
“We have been late each time (defensively),” Meziane stated. “We stayed behind, we didn’t put strain on the passers, on the ball, so a small benefit turns into an enormous benefit. We simply went after the ball, they usually bought what they needed and located what they needed. It’s about toughness, and for certain you’ll be able to work on that in apply, but it surely begins with simply taking some satisfaction on protection.”
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