DeWanna Bonner and the Connecticut Sun put forth a stellar defensive effort to take the opener of their semifinal playoff sequence in opposition to the New York Liberty.

Bonner scored 20 factors, Rebecca Allen added 18 and the Sun held New York to a season low for factors in a 78-63 victory Sunday.

“They are such an offensive juggernaut, we had to make things as difficult as possible and I think our team took ownership of that today,” Connecticut coach Stephanie White mentioned.

Game 2 of the best-of-five sequence is Tuesday evening in New York.

Third-seeded Connecticut misplaced all 4 video games between the groups within the common season, together with getting blown out twice in New York, however that did not matter to the Sun.

“It’s 0-0 when it comes to playoffs. We didn’t think about the regular season,” Bonner mentioned. “It’s a new season.”

New York led by three at halftime earlier than Connecticut went on a 16-2 run to begin the third quarter. The Sun scored the primary 9 factors throughout the spurt and Natisha Hiedeman hit two 3-pointers.

The Liberty received inside 53-48, however Allen — who was traded from the Liberty within the offseason to the Sun as a part of the Jonquel Jones deal — hit her fourth 3-pointer of the sport.

Bonner made a pull-up jumper simply earlier than the tip of the third quarter to increase Connecticut’s lead again to 10. She scored the primary 5 factors of the fourth to push it to 70-55 — the group’s largest lead of the sport to that time.

New York, which was led by Breanna Stewart’s 19 factors, could not get inside single digits the remainder of the best way.

“They were being aggressive. I don’t think we handled it well, we didn’t stay poised and composed,” Stewart said. “Frustrating to drop this one at home. We’ll bounce back Tuesday.”

Stewart had a tough recreation, going 7 for 25 from the sector, together with lacking all eight of her 3-point makes an attempt. Jones had 14 factors and 12 rebounds for New York — the fifteenth time that she’s had a double-double this season however the first time the Liberty misplaced in a type of efforts.

New York, which averaged 89.2 factors throughout the common season, struggled with no fastbreak factors and shot 34% from the sector. The Liberty have been outrebounded 35-30.

“That was the worst game of the season,” coach Sandy Brondello said. “We have great players and we’ll respond.”

The Liberty superior to the semifinals after sweeping Washington in a hard-fought first-round sequence, taking the clincher in extra time. Connecticut made it to its fifth straight semifinals by topping Minnesota in three video games.

Connecticut received off to a sizzling begin and led by 9 earlier than New York rallied and took a 40-37 lead on the half. Jones had 10 factors and Sabrina Ionescu 9 for the Liberty. Allen had 12 to steer Connecticut whereas Alyssa Thomas had six factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Thomas completed the sport with eight factors, 10 assists and 7 rebounds.