Marina Mabrey led the Connecticut Sun with an impressive 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, guiding her team to a surprising 78-62 victory over the New York Liberty on Friday night in Uncasville, Connecticut. This win extended the Liberty’s losing streak to four games, marking a troubling stretch for the defending champions.
Liberty Struggle Offensively and Turn the Ball Over
The New York Liberty, who entered the game with a 17-10 record, suffered their worst loss in recent memory against a struggling Sun squad that entered the night with only five wins. Despite Sabrina Ionescu’s 23 points, New York managed just a 33.9 percent shooting rate and committed 23 turnovers, hitting a season-low in points. This marked the longest losing streak the Liberty have experienced since 2022.
Strong Contributions from Connecticut Bench Boost the Team
Connecticut’s bench players Olivia Nelson-Ododa and rookie Leila Lacan stepped up, each scoring 16 points while shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the floor. Veteran Tina Charles also contributed significantly with 15 points. Lacan’s off-balance three-pointer late in the fourth quarter helped extend the Sun’s lead to 67-55 with just over seven minutes remaining.
Sun’s Late Surge Seals the Game
Aneesah Morrow added a tip-in off a Charles missed shot to push the lead to 69-57. Although the Liberty attempted a comeback, cutting the deficit to seven with 5:08 left behind a three-pointer from Jonquel Jones and a layup by Stephanie Talbot, the Sun responded with combined points from Nelson-Ododa and Mabrey to maintain control down the stretch.
Key Moments Slowed Liberty’s Momentum
Mabrey’s transition three-pointer gave the Sun a 56-46 lead midway through the third quarter. After a tough block by Jonquel Jones on Charles, the veteran forward secured an offensive rebound, converted a layup, and made a free throw to extend the lead to 63-53. An earlier 14-2 run capped by a buzzer-beating jumper from Charles propelled the Sun to a 44-37 lead at halftime, overcoming an early first-quarter deficit of 20-15.
Historical Context and Impact on Both Teams
The Liberty had dominated recent matchups against the Sun, winning 10 of their last 11 games, including a decisive 100-52 victory earlier in June. However, the Sun’s performance in rebounds, outrebounding the Liberty by 13, and strong contributions from both starters and bench players turned the tide this time. This loss deepens the Liberty’s struggles while providing the Sun a significant morale boost despite their poor overall record.