Marc Allard mallard@norwichbulletin.com, (860) 425-4212 mallardnb

MOHEGAN Connecticut Sun guard Jasmine Thomas drove to the basket early in the fourth quarter of Wednesday nights game and was stuffed by New York Liberty center Amanda Zahui B.

Thomas didnt sulk.

She raced back on defense and was able to get a hand on the ball controlled by New Yorks Lindsay Allen, knocking it away from the Liberty player.

Were absolutely not going to give up, Thomas said with a smile. I dont like to make mistakes and Im going to make up for it anyway I can, especially when theyre fatigue mistakes. Thats when I kind of want to kick myself.

The steal led to a 3-pointer by Rachel Banham, one of three by the second-year guard that gave the Sun a 20-plus point lead.

The Sun made mistakes in their 96-76 win over the Liberty on Wednesday at Mohegan Sun Arena.

They also made up for them.

The Sun turned over the ball three times in the fourth quarter and, on each occasion, managed to recover.

Following another Connecticut turnover, Banham managed to stick her hand in and knock the ball away and the Sun got to the loose ball first. The third saw Thomas block a Bria Hartley shot.

Plays like those helped the shorthanded Sun (4-5) to their second convincing win in a row, having beaten Atlanta by 33 points on Saturday.

Just confidence, Thomas said. Any time we can get a win when were down with (Morgan) Tuck (out), we dont have (Alex Bentley), were down with (Lynetta) Kizer. Any time our numbers are low and we can get wins, its great especially when you can see the chemistry and the maturity of the team growing.

The Sun have won four of their last five after starting 0-4.

We played another good game from start to finish, so I think were learning how to put a full game of basketball together. Thats what were showing out there, center Jonquel Jones (19 points, 12 rebounds) said.

Connecticut has persevered through injury woes. Chiney Ogwumike was lost before the season began, while Tuck (bone bruise) and Kizer (back) have been bothered by nagging injuries.

Others have stepped up.

(Shekinna) Strick(len) has been giving us great minutes, Courtney (Williams) great minutes and you see this team going to a whole different level. We knew we were capable of it and now everyone else is seeing what were capable of, forward Alyssa Thomas said.

Last year, the confidence came late.

The Sun won eight of their last 12 games, including their final three of the season. But they missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.

Prior to this season, especially following the news about Ogwumikes season ending before it began with Achilles surgery, most had predicted the Sun would miss the WNBA postseason for the fifth straight year.

The general rule of thought was that with the maturation of Jones, Williams, Banham and Tuck, along with a healthy Ogwumike, the team could make a run next season.

But the Sun are a bit impatient.

Were on a little win streak, playing really well as a team, and it just adds a little extra motivation. This team wants to make the playoffs. I think were tired of being right there and not making it, Alyssa Thomas said.

The next three games will tell more of the story.

The Sun visit Minnesota to face the 9-0 Lynx on Saturday before heading to New York where the Liberty will certainly have revenge on their mind on Friday, June 23. The Sun finish up the road swing with a game in Dallas on June 25.

I feel like they keep coming, Jones said of the latest road swing. Every time you turn around, its like back on the road again. Its part of being a pro, part of being in this league and you have to play when the time comes.

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Connecticut Sun made up for mistakes in win over New York Liberty - Norwich Bulletin