Streak Snapped: Lawson leads the attack with Perfect Shooting

By Kristen Melesky

If there is one thing about Connecticut fans, they don’t forget. That is why each time Sacramento Monarch and former Tennessee Vol, Kara Lawson touched the ball, the 6,771 fans at Mohegan Sun booed loudly. Unfortunately for the Connecticut Sun, Lawson relished in the moment, shooting 8-8, including five three-pointers as the Sacramento Monarchs ended the Sun’s six game winning streak with an 85-70 victory.

“Kara Lawson was sensational tonight, she really was,” said Sun coach Mike Thibault. “I hate to say that about a Tennessee player but she played great.”

Lawson who averaged 8.8 points prior to this game, led Sacramento with a season-high 21 points.

“She was on fire,” said Sun guard Debbie Black. “I’m sure some of it had to do with the fans booing her.” That usually feeds fuel to the fire.”

Despite Lawson’s flawless performance, she wasn’t the only component working against the Sun. From the start, Connecticut appeared sluggish and unable to find their usual rhythm.

“We came out flat,” said point guard Lindsay Whalen. “Games like this kind of remind you that every night you need to come out and play hard.” At the same time, it’s only one game.”

Thibault explained the game plan as shutting down the inside prowess of Yolanda Griffith which he thought his team successfully did. Unfortunately the Monarch’s outside game overcompensated, as they shot 75% from behind the arc.

The Sun who trailed by as many as nine in the first half, went into the locker room down by just two. It was not until late in the second half that things went awry.

“The second half we came out really strong but then that same flat energy came back,” said Whalen.

Midway through the second half, Sacramento went on a 10-0 run, taking a lead that the Sun was never able to get back.

Tangela Smith scored 19 for Sacramento and Griffith added 17.

The Sun were led by Taj McWilliams Franklin who scored 18 and Nykesha Sales who had 14.

The winning streak has been broken, but for the Sun they will regroup and move on.

“Streaks are hard to get in the WNBA. There’s not many streaks that go past two or three,” said Black. “So, it’s disappointing, but it happens. We’re too good of a team not to get back out there and play strong. “Sometimes these kind of games make you refocus. I’m not saying this loss is good thing, but it can be if you look at it the right way.”