The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JONQUEL Jones and the Connecticut Sun got back on the winning track on the road.

The Sun defeated the Dallas Wings 89-78 yesterday at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

Jones played just five minutes and finished with three points, three rebounds and one blocked shot.

The Sun, ranked 11th in the WNBA’s AP ranking, improved to 7-16 on the season.

Jasmine Thomas led the team with 20 points and three blocked shots - both season highs - while Courtney Williams scored 14 points and Morgan Tuck added 13.

They took an early lead and never let up as they opened with an 11-2 run. The Sun would never trail in the game.

The Wings fell to 9-15 on the year. They fell behind at a major disadvantage when the Sun went on a 25-11 spurt. That gave Connecticut its biggest lead of the game (42-26) with 3:30 left in the first half.

Dallas has lost five in a row and six of its last seven.

Jones returned to the bench after spending five games in the starting lineup.

While Buddy Hield arrived back in the Bahamas yesterday, he took time out in his first press conference to acknowledge the connection he and Jones have had over the course of their careers.

He said the pair have promised to collaborate to assist the growth of the local girls’ game for young women.

“Me and Jonquel have been competing all our life going to the same Moon McPhee basketball camp. We had a bet this summer over who would get drafted higher and we both got drafted the sixth pick.

“It was good to see her achieve these things. I was very proud of her, she worked very hard and she beat up on me a few times too. I know she’s busy now in the summertime because they’re in season and the season is at their peak,” he said.

“I have talked to girls’ basketball coaches at Oklahoma University about coming down here and putting on camps, bringing the players and teaching the girls how to play basketball, just giving a higher level of skill.

“I have to reach out and talk to Jonquel and hopefully we can expand on this. It’s only going to get better and better every year. That’s my vision and I’m looking forward to it.”