— Olivia Nelson-Ododa Scores 13 Points, Saniya Rivers with Strong Defensive Outing —

ATLANTA (September 17, 2026) – The Connecticut Sun (10-31) fell to the Atlanta Dream (27-14), 103-59, in the final meeting of the franchises on Thursday at Gateway Center Arena @ College Park.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa led Connecticut withwith 13 points in 16 minutes, shshoototing 5-of-6 from the field while adddding four rebounds and two assists. Saniya Rivers contributed nine points, nine rebouds, three blocks and a steal. Ashlon Jackson and Raegan Beers also grabbed nine points apiece, providing a spark off the bench. Jackson was 3-of-5 from deep and added five rebounds and two assists, while Beers finished with two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

Atlanta opened the game with baskets from Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon before Charlisse Leger-Walker got Connecticut on the board with a midrange jumper. Nelson-Ododa added a basket, before DeWanna Bonner dropped a long-range two. Nelson-Ododa scored under the rim to battle Atlanta’s offense while it gathered six straight points. Beers snapped the run and Rivers picked up two at the line to close the gap to three points. Madina Okot and Rivers traded baskets. Jackson answered a Hillmon three-pointer with one of her own as the Dream took a narrow lead into the second quarter.

The Dream extended their advantage early in the second behind Reese and Rhyne Howard. Nelson-Ododa and Beers helped keep Connecticut within striking distance, but Atlanta, behind Howard, Jordin Canada and Reese, used a 6-0 run midway through the quarter to push its lead to 11. Jackson connected from beyond the arc to halt the run, and Nell Angloma scored on consecutive possessions late in the period. Atlanta carried a double-digit lead into halftime.

Howard opened the half with a free throwith a free throw to start a 7-0 Atlanta run with contributions from Canada and Gray. Leger-Walker ended the drought for Connecticut, but the Dream continued to build their lead behind Reese and Howard. Jackson knocked down her third three-pointer of the night, and Beers added a midrange jumper, but Atlanta maintained control throughout the quarter, outscoring the Sun 32-12 in the period to take a 30-point advantage into the fourth.

Atlanta continued to pull away in the final quarter as Te-Hina Paopao opened the frame with a three-pointer. The Dream extended their lead with scoring from Madina Okot, Howard, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Sika Kone and Indya Nivar. Rivers and Aaliyah Edwards provided late baskets for Connecticut, but Atlanta closed the game on a strong note to secure a 44-point victory.

The Dream outscored the Sun 56-30 in the paint and held a 39-26 advantage in bench scoring. Connecticut recorded six blocks to Atlanta’s three, led by Rivers’ three rejections.

Game Notes:

Rivers matched Atlanta’s team total with three blocks.

Team	Score	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	PTS	REB	AST
CON	59	17	18	11	13	Nelson-Ododa – 13	Rivers – 9	Leger-Walker – 3
ATL	103	2	23	31	27	Reese – 30	Reese – 10	Howard – 8

NEXT GAME: The Sun host Homecoming Night on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. against the Minnesota Lynx and honor Mike Thibault at halftime.

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