Indianapolis – Rachel Banham had a career-high 20 points while Brionna Jones recorded her first double-double in the WNBA as the Connecticut Sun ended a four-game losing streak, surviving foul trouble while pulling out an 87-78 win over the Indiana Fever at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Jones had career-highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds while Courtney Williams (14 points, nine rebounds, five assists) gave the Sun a much-needed boost in the second half, scoring 12 of Connecticut’s 19 points in the third quarter alone.
Banham had a career-high five made threes on five attempts, including three from behind the arc in the fourth quarter as the Sun (8-5) broke open a close game. Connecticut led just 62-60 entering the fourth quarter, but Banham (nine points) and Jones (seven points) were the top contributors during a 21-8 run over the first six minutes of the final quarter.
Leading 83-68 with 3:50 remaining, the Sun cruised to their second win over the Fever (1-13) this season.
Banham and Jones led the Sun bench, which outscored Indiana’s reserves 46-10. Alex Bentley added a team-high six assists.
Their play was crucial because Chiney Ogwumike (13 points, nine rebounds) and Jonquel Jones struggled with foul trouble all night long. Each had four fouls with just over six minutes still remaining in the third quarter, and Ogwumike was whistled for her fifth in the last minute of the third quarter. She did not return, and Jones was limited to just 7:41 of total playing time.
Natalie Achonwa (16 points, seven rebounds) was one of five Indiana players to score in double figures. Candice Dupree had 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Connecticut will visit Washington Tuesday before returning home to host the Fever on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.