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Connecticut Sun held off Minnesota Lynx 78-73 on Thursday night thanks to key plays down the line by DiJonai Carrington, 24 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds from Alyssa Thomas. For the Sun (16-4), who had lost three of their previous four games, Bonner made 10 of 16 shots, including two 3-pointers, and added nine rebounds.
In addition, Carrington ended with 17 points, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, while Thomas tied her season best in assists. The Lynx led 14-6 thanks to 14 points from Alanna Smith before she fouled out. Kayla McBride finished with eight rebounds and 13 points.
Minnesota Lynx scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to level the game at 64 thanks to three-pointers from Bridget Carleton and Diamond Miller. The Sun never trailed again when Bonner answered with a three-pointer and a three-point play, giving them a 70-64 advantage.
Carrington blocked McBride's layup attempt with 28 seconds left, which would have brought the Lynx within two, then added two free throws with 16 seconds left to extend the margin to six. McBride made a 3-pointer, but Carrington responded with a layup to seal the win.
Minnesota its highest lead in the game
Bonner scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting to give Connecticut Sun a 20-17 lead after the first quarter. With 4:42 remaining in the first half, Veronica Burton made a 3-pointer, giving the Sun a 32-24 lead. McBride scored two 3-pointers, and Carleton and Smith each made one in a 16-4 run to conclude the first, giving the Lynx a 40-36 advantage at halftime.
Smith scored a 3-pointer and a layup in an 8-2 run to open the third quarter, giving Minnesota its highest lead of 48-38. Carrington hit back-to-back 3-pointers to finish a 10-0 run, and Connecticut tied the game at 48. Alyssa Thomas followed her three-point play with six consecutive free throws and a layup, giving the Sun a 64-58 lead into the fourth quarter. Connecticut has won five consecutive games versus Minnesota in Minneapolis and is now 2-0 against the Lynx this season.