WNBA: Connecticut Sun Off to Worst Start in Franchise History

It’s a homecoming this evening at Mohegan Sun Arena when the Sun hosts the Seattle Storm and former UConn great Breanna Stewart.

This will be Stewart’s first return trip to a state where she propelled the Huskies to four NCAA women’s basketball championships.

The Syracuse, NY native will be the recipient of a heroes’ welcome from the partisan Sun faithful, who revered the All American for what she did for the state of Connecticut and her history-making impact on the women’s game.

But there is much more on the line for the team’s this evening as both are in desperate need of a win – particularly the Sun.

The Sun, under first year Coach Curt Miller, are off to a dismal start going 1-7 in their first eight games; with their sole win; a 72-68 road decision over the San Antonio Stars on May 19.

It is the worst start in the Sun’s franchise history.

Last week the Sun dropped a pair of home games the Atlanta Dream (83-77) and the Indiana Fever (88-77).

Against the Dream, the Sun closed to within four (77-73) with 41 seconds left in regulation but Atlanta sealed the win with six free throws in the game’s final moments.

Alex Bentley paced the Sun with 16 points while Camille Little chipped in 10.

Connecticut shot a bit better from the field (39.7%) but once again they were plagued by a negative assist-to-turnover ratio (16 to 18).

In the loss to the Fever Tiffany Mitchell came off the bench and poured in 21 points to lead Indiana to the victory.

Mitchell scored 13 points in the final five minutes of play to thwart a fourth quarter Sun rally.

Alyssa Thomas had her best game of the season as she led the Sun with 20 points.

Rookie Rachel Banham gave the Sun some great minutes coming off the bench as she pumped in 12 points.

Connecticut shot very well from the field (48.5%) but it was not enough to overcome Mitchell’s fourth quarter heroics.

In tonight’s matchup, Seattle (3-5) is coming off an 86-78 loss to the New York Liberty despite Stewart’s game-high 17 rebounds, a franchise record for a rookie.

Stewart’s teammate Jewell Loyd has been the Storm’s top scorer this year at 18.1 ppg.

Sue Bird and Alysha Clark are scoring at 12.0 and 10.4 ppg, respectively.

The tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

SUN SPOTS

The Sun is led by Jasmine Thomas at 11.3 points, 4.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Miller continues to search for the right on-court combinations noting on numerous occasions that his squad does not have a super-star on the roster.

The Sun will continue to be a work-in-progress until they become more consistent on both the offensive and defensive ends.

Stewart is enjoying a solid rookie season for Seattle, averaging 16.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game.

Seattle defeated the Sun 93-81 in their first meeting on May 28 in Seattle.

The LA Sparks and Minnesota Lynx have opened the season with 8-0 records and they are in hot pursuit of matching the league record, which was established by the 2012 Lynx (10-0).

After Seattle, the Sun will jump in a plane to Atlanta for a rematch with the Dream on June 12 (3 p.m.).

They return to Uncasville for a three-game home stand against the Washington Mystics (6/14), New York Liberty (6/16) and San Antonio Stars (6/19).

Did you know?

The 2016 USA Basketball Women’s National Team will host a four-team, exhibition tournament on July 29 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Ct.

Australia and France will square off in the first game at 4:30 p.m.

Coach Geno Auriemma and Team USA face Canada in the second game (7 p.m.).

Tickets for the exhibition tournament will go on sale starting June 13.

For complete details go to: USAB.COM/SHOWCASE

In Rio, Team USA will open preliminary round play on Aug. 7 against Senegal.

They are in Group B along with Canada, Senegal and Serbia.

Follow Bob on Twitter for all the Sun and WNBA news: @WhitneyBob