Sun 88, Liberty 66
NEWARK, N.J. -- It took until August, but the Connecticut Sun can finally boast consecutive WNBA wins in 2013.
Tina Charles' 21-point, 14-rebound effort led Connecticut to an 88-66 beatdown of New York on Saturday at the Prudential Center.
Renee Montgomery added 18 points for the Sun on just seven shots from the field, making all four of her 3-point tries. Kelsey Griffin more than doubled her 7.2-point average with 16, and Allison Hightower netted 13 points to go along with a game-high eight assists.
Kara Braxton paced New York (8-12) with 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. Cappie Pondexter and Plenette Pierson each scored 17 points.
The Liberty led 34-33 at halftime but were buried after intermission.
The Sun started the second half with an 18-6 run, establishing a 51-40 advantage on Charles' hook shot with 4:16 left in the third quarter.
Hightower had a hand in the first 13 points, making a 3-pointer and a reverse layup while assisting on two 3-pointers and Charles' jumper that started the second-half scoring.
Pondexter mad two foul shots with 6:50 left in the game, slicing Connecticut's margin to 68-62. But the Sun (6-12) finished on a 20-4 run, with Charles hitting three straight buckets.
Connecticut followed Thursday night's win over Indiana with its most lopsided victory of the year.
The Sun play host to Los Angeles on Tuesday night in Mohegan Sun Arena.
