The Las Vegas Aces forced a game five by beating the Connecticut Sun 84-75 on Sunday. Connecticut led by one at halftime, but then Angel McCoughtry took over in the third quarter.
Angel McCoughtry
McCoughtry scored 16 points in the third quarter as Las Vegas went on to win the third period 28-16 and never looked back. The former Atlanta Dream star scored 14 of the first 18 second-half points for the Aces. McCougtry finished the game with 29 points, six assist, five rebounds, and three steals. McCoughtry was very aggressive in the second half, driving to the basket and hitting mid-range jumpers. Her scoring outburst in the second half helped lead the Aces to a game four victory.
The 2020 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson added 18 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals. You can always count on Wilson to put up solid numbers every game. Danielle Robinson also put up 18 points, huge with Dearica Hamby being out with a knee injury. The Aces needed players to pick up Hamby’s scoring slack, McCoughtry and Robinson did that.
In the third quarter, the Aces played faster; they are at their best when they can play up-tempo. Las Vegas won the fast break points battle 16-8. Another critical stat for Las Vegas was the points in the paint, which they scored 46 to Connecticut’s 20.
Connecticut Sun
For the Sun, Jasmine Thomas led the way with 25 points, while hitting six three-pointers. Alyssa Thomas scored 15 points and eight rebounds. DeWanna Bonner struggled from the field, scoring 10 points on 3-11 shooting, but she did add 15 rebounds. If the Sun wants to win game five, they will need better performances from Bonner and Alyssa Thomas.
Game five will occur on Tuesday night; the winner will face the Seattle Storm in the WNBA Finals, who swept the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA semifinals.
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