Takeaways from Connecticut Sun’s first win at home, beat Atlanta Dream

UNCASVILLE, Conn.

Four days removed from their worst loss in franchise history, the Sun came out on Friday determined to change the tide.

Led by a 34-point performance from Marina Mabrey, the Connecticut Sun defeated the Atlanta Dream, 84-76.

This marks Connecticuts first win at home of the season, one week removed from their first win on May 30.

One win may not change course, but two wins in their last three is a sign in the right direction for a squad -- regardless of what a 48-point loss looks like.

I dont think the defeat to New York has to define us, Sun coach Rachid Meziane said before Fridays game.

We played right now the best in the world, New York is the best team in the world.

How (our players) respond today is the most important thing for me.We have to play with more character, more focus...

(and) defensive energy.Sun survive slow start with strong defenseThe first quarter was closely contested, with five lead changes in the first five minutes.

Mabrey got rolling early, scoring on a drive and a step back after catching former Connecticut Sun Brionna Jones on a switch.

Atlanta grew the first two-possession lead when Rhyne Howard scored a quick five points on a step back three and a pull-up jumper to put the Dream ahead, 15-8, forcing a Sun timeout.

Both teams struggled to score down the stretch of opening quarter, but the Sun closed the gap after a step back three from Mabrey cut the deficit to four with a minute left.

The score remained 17-13 entering the second, with the Dream shooting just 36.8% from the field, barely outpacing the Sun at 33.3% and just 1 of 7 from downtown.

But despite his teams offensive numbers, Meziane was not deterred by the results.

I was ok at this time because I knew that offensively we are more talented (than what we had shown), Meziane said after the game.

We created a lot of open shots -- we missed them, but I didnt want to change.The only thing we wanted at this time (was) to just reverse the ball and to find a good balance between our inside players and our outside players.Tina Charles, Mabrey lead second-quarter chargeThe Dream pushed their lead back to seven early in the second.

But after Tina Charles connected on back-to-back jump shots from the post, the Suns offense continued to feed her.

The eight-time All-Star scored eight of her 10 first-half points in the second quarter to keep the Sun within striking distance of the Dream.

But it was Mabreys play in the final minutes that closed the gap for Connecticut.

She scored eight points in the final five minutes to help the Sun regain the lead heading into halftime.

Mabreys smooth, one-handed floater in the paint put the Sun in front just before the buzzer after splitting the double-team off the pick-and-roll at the top of the arc.

Mabrey expands the lead, but Atlanta climbs backThe Sun came out with a new look in the second half following the updated injury report at halftime stating that Olivia Nelson-Ododa would not return to the game, designated with a left ankle injury.

Kariata Diaby started the second-half in place of Nelson-Ododa.

Connecticut got out to a scorching-hot start in the third, scoring the first six points of the quarter and opening up a 10-2 run to expand a nine-point lead, forcing a timeout from Atlanta less than three minutes into the second half.

I like when (Saniya Rivers) runs in transition, Mabrey said.

The energy that she brings is contagious.

So you have a lot of players (here) that have been doing this for a while, but also players that are really young and theyre full of energy.The timeout did little to stop the run.

Soon after, Bria Hartley converted in transition after another hit-ahead pass from Mabrey, extending the lead to 11.Mabrey fueled the Sun through most of the third, adding 12 more points and dishing out four assists in the quarter.

I need to set a tone for the team in any way that I can and also involve other people, Mabrey said.

I can do what I do, but if Im not (going to) make everybody else better, its not (going to) help our team.

Just being aggressive and Im appreciative that all my teammates trust me.The Suns lead grew to as high as 13, but the Dream clawed themselves back into the game in the final minutes of the quarter, with a three from Rhyne Howard at the buzzer trimming the lead to just one.

Big minutes, defensive plays from Saniya Rivers, Aneesah MorrowBoth teams traded baskets early in the fourth, but the defensive efforts of Rivers and Aneesah Morrow played key roles in securing the victory.

Both rookies played for the majority of the fourth, each recording a +6 net rating in the quarter.

Rivers provided two clutch blocks and two key steals down the stretch.Morrow also got in the mix, scoring a crucial bucket in traffic at the hoop with just over a minute left that closed the win.

(Rivers and Morrow) dont care about what theyre asked to do every night, but they do it gracefully, Mabrey said.

They come out here and they work hard.

In practice, we get (on) their ass like actually crazy but they respond really well and were really happy and really lucky to have them on this team.Saniyas defense today on Allisha (Gray) and Rhyne (Howard) was really disruptive.

Although they still had some points, I think that we made them work really hard that was a a lot to do with Saniya, then Aneesah came in and gave great energy...

she didnt get to play that much, but she came in when her number was called and she went crazy, so we recognize that.Mabrey finished with a game-high 34 points and four assists, her highest scoring total with the Sun.

Charles finished with 19 points and Hartley had 11 points and a team-high six assists.

After New York, I mean, no one wants to lose a game like that, Hartley said.

We came in (on Tuesday and) we got after it, the coaches challenged us and we rose to the occasion.

We came together and thats what we want to continue to do.

This league is very tough.

Games are going to be hard night in and night out and as long as we keep growing and coming together with each game, were going to be fine.Rivers finished with nine points, three steals and two blocks.

The transition is hard from college going into the pros, its a different level of physicality, Rivers said.

...

yall know what I was going through (to start the season) and on top of that, (I) got to learn new plays, new individual players...

I feel like the team asks a lot of me because they know my potential -- I come in and I guard the best players every night.

Its a lot for a rookie."But despite this heavy responsibility, Rivers is embracing this opportunity, buzzing around and creating havoc on the court, dapping up the fans and flashing her signature smile.

When I came to the W, I said I wanted (my) defense to transition quickly, but I feel like energy was another thing, Rivers said.

You can ask (my teammates), I bring energy every day in the locker room.

It dont matter if its eight in the morning, Im coming to bring that energy.Thats just me, Im an energy person.

I like to smile, I like to have fun...

I play my best basketball when Im having fun and when my team is having fun.

Its cool to see a basket going in, but its nothing like a cool little celebration.

I was a lit on my little block.Read the original article on MassLive..

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