Seattle — The Connecticut Sun fell to the Seattle Storm for the second time this season at KeyArena, dropping an 84-70 decision on Sunday afternoon.
Alex Bentley came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points for the Sun (9-7), while Betnijah Laney had 11 points and six rebounds. Jonquel Jones added 10 points.
Trailing just 51-47 with 5:21 left in the third quarter, the Sun were well positioned to win the first game of a four-game West Coast road trip that includes stops at Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
But Natasha Howard (13 points, eight rebounds) hit a three-pointer and Sue Bird (11 points, nine assists) scored five straight points as the Storm (12-5) went on a 19-1 run to build a 70-48 lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
The Sun could not get closer than 14 points the rest of the way.
Earlier in the game, the Sun overcame a pair of 11-point deficits in the first quarter, overcoming a ragged start to get within 23-15 at the end of the frame.
Connecticut started rolling in the second quarter, outscoring Seattle 17-5 over the first 5:26 to take a 32-28 lead.
But Seattle answered with a 17-0 run to regain control of the game. Lexie Brown hit a three to stop the run, and appeared to make a second three at the buzzer to end the half. But it was waived off after a review, and the Sun trailed 47-35 at the break.
Connecticut battled back again early in the third quarter as Rachel Banham, making her first WNBA start, hit a three to start a 10-2 run. But then Howard hit her three, and the Storm were back on the attack.
The Sun travel to Los Angeles to face the Sparks at 10:30 p.m EST on Tuesday night.