By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (25-13) have assured themselves a playoff berth and now play for position. Tonight they took on the Connecticut Sun (9-26). After the first ten miniutes of play Las Vegas had the lead but by a single digit 25-24. Unexpected yes but the Sun came out playing more aggressively than their record would indicate. Las Vegas began to turn it all around in the second quarter but the Sun came roaring back and at the half the Aces continued to lead by a single point 48-47. The second half was a tale of two halves. The Aces outscored the Sun in the third quarter 27-16 and were leading 75-63 going into the fourth quarter. Las Vegas broke this game wide open throughout the final quarter. They outscored Connecticut 26-15. The final was 101-78.

GAME RECAP

Now that the Las Vegas Aces have assured themseleves a spot in the playoffs position now becomes their focus and winning is imperative in order to do that. Tonight the Aces take on a team that sits very close to the basement in the standings. Because of their record, the way that the Sun came out in this game was totally unexpected. Britteny Griner was ruled out for tonight’s game. After the first ten minutes of play, the Aces were hanging onto a slim 25-24 lead.

The Aces had as much as a 10 point lead in the game but when halftime came around, Las Vegas was still treading water with a 48-47 lead. The Aces would need to slow down the Sun. They came into the game a bit out of rhythm in the first quarter and seemed to have turned it around in second but let the Sun back in the game.

Las Vegas would have their hands full in the second half. The Sun had been getting good looks and they were moving the ball really well. The Aces needed to disrupt their rhythm and really needed some sharp defense. In their last game against Atlanta Las Vegas’s defense was not on point and turnovers were horrendous. They have cleaned that up in tonight’s first half with only 3 turnovers. The Aces have beaten the Sun twice this season and the Sun came out looking like a team with something to prove. Connecticut already had three players in double digits. In the second half, Las Vegas would need to start hitting shots from outside letting A’Ja Wilson work her magic inside. If the Aces could tighten up their defense and they have already put the stops on the turnovers, they have the talent and depth to start creating separation.

Las Vegas started the third quarter going on a 11-0 run and taking a 61-52 lead. Jackie Young was on a heater something we have been seeing quite often. Early in the quarter she had already hit 24 points. She was 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. A little help from Chelsea Gray and A’Ja Wilson would be a good thing balancing out this offense. Mid-way through the third the Aces had their largest lead of the game 66-52. .After three quarters, the Aces had separated themselves from the Sun leading 75-63. They would have to play a clean fourth quarter with both Nalyssa Smith and Cheyenne Parker-Tyrus with four personals.

Las Vegas took over the fourth quarter taking their largest lead of the game a few minutes into the quarter 87-65. Connecticut was struggling with 17 turnovers as the Aces began to carve them up offensively. Las Vegas was out-rebounding the Sun 35-20. They had done an about-face taking control of this game offensively and defensively. The final was 101-78.

GAME NOTES

After struggling in the first half of this game, the Las Vegas Aces turned this game completely around. It all started in the third quarter when they outscored the Sun 27-16 and they never backed down for the rest of the game. They dominated the boards finishing with 41 rebounds, 12 of them offensive to Connecticut’s 29. The extra possessions wore Connecticut down. Las Vegas took far better care of the ball committing only 11 turnovers to the Sun’s 19.

Jackie Young could not be stopped finishing with 24 points the game high and 7 rebounds. A’Ja Wilson had 20 points and off the bench Cheyenne Parker-Tyrus was amazing with 18 points and 9 rebounds. They totally dominated the second half of the game.

The Aces will now head out on the road taking on the Toronto Tempo. Tipoff for this game late Sunday afternoon is scheduled for 4:00 PM.