Embarrassment over: Connecticut Sun finally get monkey off their back on Tuesday

Rodney Knuppel

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Embarrassment over: Connecticut Sun finally get monkey off their back on Tuesday image

David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Connecticut Sun finally broke through on the road Tuesday night, ending a frustrating 13-game away losing streak with an 80-69 victory over the Washington Mystics. For a team that hadn’t tasted road success since May 30, the result felt like a long-awaited weight lifted.

Connecticut Sun end brutal road skid with win over Mystics

Saniya Rivers led the way with 17 points, showing off her ability to score in key moments. Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 15 points and nine rebounds, while former MVP Tina Charles delivered 13 points and nine boards of her own. Aaliyah Edwards, facing her former team for the first time, added eight points in 16 minutes.

How the Sun took control

The Sun entered the game with little momentum away from home, but their energy flipped in the second quarter. Connecticut strung together a 10-2 run to grab the lead and later closed the half on a nine-point surge that gave them a 47-35 advantage at the break.

That cushion proved critical. The Sun came out of halftime with the same urgency, scoring the first four points of the third quarter to push the margin to 16. Washington tried to respond, but Nelson-Ododa fueled an 8-0 burst in the fourth that put Connecticut up 76-57 with just over four minutes left, effectively sealing the win.

A rough night for the Mystics

Washington had its moments but never fully recovered after Connecticut’s second-quarter push. Rookie standout Sonia Citron continued to shine, scoring 19 points while making history by passing Chamique Holdsclaw for the most points scored by a Mystics rookie in a single season. With nine games left, she has plenty of time to stretch that record further.

Shakira Austin added 12 points, and Jade Melbourne finished with 11, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace. The Mystics, now 16-19, dropped another key game in their fight for playoff positioning.

Despite struggles - big time win

Connecticut’s 7-27 record makes it clear this hasn’t been a smooth season, but snapping a long road drought can reset a team’s confidence. The Sun had gone nearly three months without winning away from their home floor, a skid that weighed heavily on both the players and coaching staff.

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Their ability to not just win but control the game from the second quarter onward could serve as a much-needed boost heading into the season’s final stretch. While the Sun are far from playoff contention, finishing the year with some momentum could set the tone for next season.

What's next?

The two teams won’t have to wait long for a rematch. Connecticut will host Washington on Thursday, giving the Sun a chance to build off their breakthrough while the Mystics look to bounce back quickly.

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Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.