Uncasville – In a game that featured 15 lead changes and 12 ties, Shavonte Zellous banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the New York Liberty to a 79-76 victory over the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
That was the second three-pointer in under a minute for New York (6-14), which tied the game when Epiphanny Prince (15 points) connected from behind the arc with 24.3 seconds left.
The loss spoiled the return of two key starters for the Sun (10-10).
After sitting out 10 games with a shoulder injury, Alyssa Thomas returned to collect 12 points and 11 rebounds with four assists in 37 minutes. It was her fourth double-double of the season.
And after missing the last four games for personal reasons, Courtney Williams had 16 points and a team-best five assists off the bench.
Chiney Ogwumike led the Sun with 17 points and also had eight rebounds and three steals on 8-of-11 shooting. It was the seventh time this season she has led or tied for leading scorer on the team.
In her first game with the Sun, Layshia Clarendon was 3-of-4 from the field for seven points with three rebounds. She was acquired by trade from Atlanta on Monday.
Tina Charles led New York with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Zellous added 14.
Connecticut appeared to take control of the game when Rachel Banham hit a three with 2:50 remaining to make it 74-69. The Sun were still in position to close out the Liberty when Jasmine Thomas (12 points) made it 76-73 with 1:07 left.
But the Sun missed a couple of chances to score in the final minute, and Prince hit the three to tie. Jasmine Thomas missed a three with 4.3 seconds left, and New York called timeout with 1.8 seconds left, setting the stage for Zellous.
The Sun host the Phoenix Mercury on Pride Night this Friday at 7 p.m.