Photo credit: AP Photo

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces needed a spark after a game one loss and found exactly that in the WNBA MVP.

A’ja Wilson scored 29 points, pulled down seven rebounds and blocked seven shots to lead the Aces past the Connecticut Sun, 83-75 at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

“She kept us in the game the whole way and then won the game for us down the stretch,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer of Wilson.  “That’s what leaders do.  That’s what MVPs do.”

The Aces improved defensively from game one, holding the Sun to 44.9% from the field and causing 17 turnovers.

“Defense won this game for us,” said Wilson.  “When you get stops, the offense just flows into it.”

“I think that when we have the mentality that we are the best defensive team in the league, that is what carries us,” said guard Kayla McBride.

Angel McCoughtry, Dearica Hamby and McBride each added 11 points.

The best of five series is now tied one game apiece heading into game three on Thursday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• A’ja Wilson’s 29 points were a career playoff high.
• Bill Laimbeer is now 9-1 following a double-digit loss in a playoff series.
• He has won five of his last six series when losing game one.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 3 Danielle Robinson
G – 21 Kayla McBride