The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 101-78 on Thursday night, using a dominant second half to extend their winning streak in the series to 11 games.
The Sun stayed within striking distance through the opening two quarters, but Las Vegas took control after halftime and turned a one-point game into a comfortable victory. The result moved the Aces to 25-13 on the season, while Connecticut fell to 9-26.
Jackie Young Leads the Aces
Jackie Young was the driving force behind Las Vegas’ offensive performance. She finished with 24 points and seven rebounds through three quarters before sitting out the fourth with the Aces comfortably ahead.
Young made a major impact from beyond the arc in the third quarter. After Las Vegas struggled from three-point range during the opening half, Young hit three triples in a span of about 90 seconds, helping ignite a decisive Aces run.
A’ja Wilson also delivered a strong performance, scoring 20 points while contributing throughout the game. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus added 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench, giving Las Vegas another important scoring option.
Connecticut Sun Start Strong
Connecticut showed plenty of fight during the first half and briefly held the advantage in the second quarter.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa led the Sun with 14 points, scoring 12 of those points before halftime. Her efficient offensive start helped Connecticut maintain pressure on the Aces.
Kennedy Burke and Leila Lacan each finished with 11 points, while Charlisse Leger-Walker contributed 10 points, five assists and two blocks.
The Sun shot 56.7% from the field during the first half and connected on four of nine three-point attempts. Despite that efficiency, Connecticut could not maintain its momentum after the break.
Aces Turn the Game Around After Halftime
The biggest difference came in the third quarter.
Connecticut opened the second half with energy, but Las Vegas quickly responded. Young knocked down consecutive three-pointers before Wilson added a mid-range basket. Young then hit another three to complete a 13-0 Aces surge.
The run completely changed the complexion of the game.
Connecticut went roughly four minutes without making a field goal during the stretch, allowing Las Vegas to build a double-digit advantage. Wilson continued attacking the basket, while Parker-Tyus provided second-chance scoring and a long-range three.
The Aces entered the fourth quarter with a 12-point lead and continued to increase the margin.
Turnovers and Rebounding Hurt Connecticut
The Sun’s shooting numbers were solid, but turnovers and rebounding proved costly.
Connecticut committed 19 turnovers, which Las Vegas converted into 28 points. The Aces also dominated the rebounding battle 40-23.
That physical advantage gave Las Vegas additional possessions and helped the team pull away despite Connecticut’s strong first-half shooting.
The Aces also improved dramatically from three-point range after halftime. Las Vegas was just 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in the first half, but Young’s third-quarter shooting helped spark the offensive turnaround.
Jewell Loyd Moves Up the WNBA Three-Point List
Jewell Loyd also reached a notable career milestone during the victory.
Loyd moved into eighth place on the WNBA’s all-time made three-point list with 728 career triples. Her contribution added another significant storyline to an important win for Las Vegas.
The Aces also snapped a two-game losing streak with the victory, giving the team some momentum heading into its next matchup.
Fourth Quarter Puts the Game Away
Las Vegas carried its momentum into the final period.
The Aces opened the fourth quarter with a 12-2 run, pushing their advantage to 87-65. With the outcome essentially decided, Young remained on the bench for the final quarter.
Las Vegas continued to find scoring opportunities as Connecticut struggled to close the gap. The Aces eventually reached the 100-point mark before finishing with a 101-78 victory.
Raegan Beers also reached 100 career points during the contest, adding another milestone to the night.
Sun vs Aces Final Score
The final score was:
Las Vegas Aces 101, Connecticut Sun 78
Young led all scorers with 24 points, followed by Wilson’s 20 and Parker-Tyus’ 18. Nelson-Ododa paced Connecticut with 14 points.
The Aces’ 27-16 advantage in the third quarter was especially important, while they added another 26 points in the fourth.
What’s Next for the Sun and Aces?
Connecticut will look to bounce back immediately when the Sun travel to Los Angeles to face the Sparks on Saturday, August 22. The Sun will be looking to complete a season sweep against Los Angeles.
The Aces, meanwhile, will travel to Toronto for their next game on Sunday.
For Connecticut, the loss highlighted the challenge of maintaining consistency for four quarters. The Sun played well offensively during stretches of the first half, but Las Vegas’ pressure, rebounding advantage and third-quarter shooting ultimately proved too much.
For the Aces, the 101-78 win provided a strong second-half response and extended their dominance over Connecticut to 11 consecutive victories in the series.
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