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WNBA Connecticut Sun

DeWanna Bonner's Record-Breaking 41-Point Performance Propels Sun Over Aces

June 8, 2023 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release


Uncasville, CT - Tonight, the Connecticut Sun (7-2) defeated the Las Vegas Aces (7-1), 94-77.

The Sun was led by DeWanna Bonner who tallied a franchise-record 41 points, along with seven rebounds, one assist and one steal. Her 41-point performance also marks a new career-high, 14 seasons into the league. The previous franchise record was held by Shannon Johnson who tallied 35 points against the Cleveland Rockers on June 8, 2002 (Orlando Miracle).

Connecticut opened the contest outscoring Las Vegas, 12-6, heading into the first media timeout of the quarter. DeWanna Bonner had six of the Sun's 12 points to start off the game. The Sun continued to stay hot behind a pair of Bonner triples to extend their lead to ten, 18-8, with 3:29 remaining in the quarter.

The Sun led the Aces, 26-15, after the first quarter of action. After only tallying five points in Tuesday's game, Bonner led all scorers with 14 points in the first.

The Aces opened the second quarter on a 5-0 spurt to cut the Sun's lead to six, 26-20, with 8:49 remaining in the half. Connecticut finished the quarter on a 17-8 run to take a 15-point advantage into the locker room, 43-28. Bonner tallied 18 first-half points to lead all scorers at the break. The Aces' 28 points marked a new season-low in a first half.

Connecticut opened up the second half outscoring Las Vegas, 13-12, to take a 56-40 advantage with 4:07 to go in the third. Bonner tallied five of the Sun's points, while Alyssa Thomas added four points in that stretch coming out of the locker room. The Aces finished the quarter on a 14-8 run to cut the Sun's lead to 12, 64-52, heading into the fourth.

Las Vegas got within as close as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but Connecticut won the final ten minutes, 30-25. Bonner also set a new franchise record for individual points in a quarter with 17 points in the final frame. She was a perfect 6-6 from the floor and 2-2 from the line in the fourth.

Las Vegas was led by Kelsey Plum who finished with 16 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Connecticut shot a season-high 52.9% (37-70) from the field, while holding Las Vegas to 46.7% (28-60) from the floor on the night. The Sun outscored the Aces in the paint, 40-24, on second chance opportunities, 11-4, and on the fast break, 17-5.

Sun Notes:

Alyssa Thomas finished one point and two rebounds shy of a triple-double with nine points, eight rebounds and 12 assists.

Tiffany Hayes added 11 points, three rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block.

With three steals in the win, Alyssa Thomas moved into second all-time in steals in franchise history, tying Katie Douglas with 372 steals in her career.

Tonight, DeWanna Bonner moved into 17th all-time in games played in WNBA history, tying Camille Little (431).

The Sun tallied a season-high 94 points and season-high 28 assists.

DeWanna Bonner's 41-point performance was the first 40-point game versus an unbeaten team in WNBA history.

Check out the Connecticut Sun Statistics



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 8, 2023


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