The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JONQUEL Jones and the Connecticut Sun are now one win away from a berth to the WNBA Finals.

Jones posted a double double and playoff career high scoring outburst with 27 points and 13 rebounds in the Suns’ 94-68 win over the Los Angeles Sparks last night at the Mohegan Sun Area in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The Sun now lead the best-of-five series 2-0 as it now shifts to Long Beach, California, for game three, Sunday at 7pm September 22.

The Sparks scored the game’s opening field goal on a three, but Jones set the tone for her big night with the Suns’ first score on the opening possession.

The Sparks took a commanding 16-6 lead early in the first and would eventually take a 22-15 lead into the second.

With the Suns trailing by five, Jones converted a traditional three-point play and tied the game at 31 with her layup on the ensuing possession with 4:33 left in the half. Jones gave the Sun their first lead of the game (39-38) with her jumper at the 1:07 mark and they clung to a 41-40 lead at the half.

Connecticut took control midway through the third when Jones made a three pointer and gave the Sun their first double-digit lead (59-49) with 3:40 remaining in the quarter. They took a 70-57 lead into the fourth. Jones opened the final period with back-to-back scores and the Sun were never threatened in a quarter.

Jones, the league’s leading rebounder, said she committed herself to have a bigger impact on the glass in game two.

“In the first game, I felt a bit disappointed in my rebounding,” she said. “I was getting my hands on the ball but not pulling away or coming away with the ball. I had a conversation with my dad and he was just telling me to be more aggressive, the coaches basically said the same thing, just being more physical and committing to rebounding.”

The Sun continue to bye-in to their role as perceived underdogs across the WNBA landscape.

“I think our team is looked at differently because we play team basketball. We feel like the respect is lacking sometimes and it’s not appreciated enough the way we play where the ball moves around and everyone touches it,” Jones said. “I had a hot hand (in this game) but we will continue to play how we play going forward through the playoffs.”