Vandersloot, Sky Upset Sun 97-86

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The Chicago Sky (11-19) stunned the Connecticut Sun (17-13) in a 97-86 win Friday night. Courtney Vandersloot led the charge with 20 points and 15 assists while All-Star Allie Quigley added 17 points and three 3-pointers. Chicago had six players score in double-digits.

Chiney Ogwumike contributed 18 points on five of seven shooting while the rest of the team struggled to find the bottom of the basket. As a team, the Sun shot 27 percent from three on nine of 27 shooting while turning the ball over 13 times.

For Amber Stocks and the Sky, getting back on track offensively was critical heading into the game.

“The anxiety hangs over you like a cloud when you go three quarters of not scoring the basketball like we did last game,” said Stocks, “Especially for our team. We are such a good offensive unit and tonight was a much-needed offensive performance.”

👀 what, again? @DDDeshields pic.twitter.com/nC7CnlTpFT

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 11, 2018

The Sky outscored the Sun 29-16 in the first quarter. Chicago started the game on a 9-2 run led by the backcourt of Quigley and Vandersloot. The starters made eight of their first 13 shots which buried the Sun early on. More importantly for Stocks and Co., Chicago didn’t turn the ball over at the rate they are used to. Going into the game, the Sky led the league in turnovers with 15.5 TOPG. However, after the first, they had only given up the ball three times.

The Sky went into the half with a 54-38 lead. The Sun couldn’t get things going from deep in the first two quarters. They only converted two of their 11 three-point attempts in the first half. However, that wasn’t the case for long as Connecticut outscored Chicago 28-18 in the third quarter.

With a commanding 65-45 lead, the Sky let the Sun go on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to ten with 4:30 left in the quarter. Jonquel Jones, who ended up with 13 points off of the bench, put the Sun within striking distance with a 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining in the quarter. The two teams traded shots until Jasmine Thomas hit a 3-pointer to make it 72-66 Sky going into the fourth.

The final quarter started with Jones hitting another three from the perimeter to bring the game back within one possession. The Sky didn’t panic and regrouped on defense. Chicago put away the Sun with a 10-2 run to bring the score back into double-digits with nine points from Quigley and Williams.

Stocks gleamed about her defense in the fourth quarter after the game.

“Defense, defense, defense. The fact that we were able to get stops fueled our offense. In all but one possession, Gabby [Williams] got up and pressured the ball and which helped ignite the offense.”

Also during the game, Vandersloot made WNBA history as she moved into the top-10 in all-time leaders of assists.

🚨 @Sloot22 has tied her person single season assists record with 218🚨She is now 18 assists away from tying @TichaPenicheiro for the all time single season assists. pic.twitter.com/BTfj2vFuWW

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 11, 2018

“It feels good,” said Vandersloot. “Especially when in games like this when it feels like every time I passed it someone made the shot. I get joy from that, and it’s a fun way to play.”

Click here for the full box score.

Chicago and Connecticut are set to face off again Aug. 12 in Mohegan Sun Arena at 2 pm CT.