PHOENIX – Making her first start of the season, Morgan Tuck had a season-high 20 points and Brionna Jones had a career-high 17, but it was not enough as the Connecticut Sun fell to the Phoenix Mercury 89-72 on Saturday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Jasmine Thomas added 10 points for the Sun (7-4). Jones, who had her previous career-best of 13 points the last time the team was in Phoenix on September 1, 2017, added four rebounds and three blocks. All of her 17 points came in the second half, including 10 in the fourth quarter as the Sun cut the Mercury (9-3) lead down to 12.
Playing without forwards Alyssa Thomas (shoulder) and Chiney Ogwumike (knee) the Sun trailed 26-15 at the end of the first. Courtney Williams led the Sun with seven points while Thomas added six points and two steals. Connecticut was held to just six points in the second quarter and trailed 43-21 at the end of the first half. The six points scored by the Sun was the lowest of any quarter this season.
The Sun battled back and scored 24 points in the third quarter to cut the Phoenix lead to 67-45 with one quarter remaining. In the fourth, the Sun were able to rally to within 12, but could not get any closer than that.
Diana Taurasi had 19 points to lead five Mercury players in double-figures. DeWanna Bonner had 15 points, Sacho Lyttle added 14 while Brittney Griner had 12 and Camille Little scored 11.
The Sun will be in action next on June 22nd when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Dream. Game time is set for 7 p.m.