Sun-Mystics Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Sep 03 2011 2:15PM

Following a dominant performance against the Eastern Conference's top team, Tina Charles and the Connecticut Sun hope to avoid a letdown versus an inferior opponent as their quest for the No. 1 seed continues.

Coming off their most impressive victory of the year, the visiting Sun try for a four-game season sweep of the Washington Mystics on Sunday.

After clinching a playoff berth Tuesday despite falling 78-66 at San Antonio, Connecticut (19-12) regrouped in spectacular fashion, routing East-leading Indiana 83-55 on Friday to move within one-half game of the Fever.

Charles recorded 10 points, 16 rebounds and a season-high 10 assists, posting the fifth regular-season triple-double in WNBA history and the first since Deanna Nolan did it May 21, 2005.

"We're getting to the time of year where it's time to start making better decisions," said Charles, last season's WNBA Rookie of the Year. "I didn't want to force shots. I just passed. My teammates made the shots."

The Sun, who haven't made the postseason since 2008, could take the conference lead with a fourth consecutive victory over Washington and an Indiana loss at Chicago later Sunday night. Connecticut has three games left on its schedule while the Fever have four.

"Coach (Mike Thibault) told us on the bus ride to the airport (Wednesday in San Antonio) that last year at this time we were miserable because we weren't going to the playoffs," Charles said. "He made us feel like things could always be worse and that this season is different."

The Sun have dropped four straight on the road but seem to be in good position to snap that skid. Connecticut has outscored the conference-worst Mystics (6-25) by an average of 10.3 points in winning all three matchups this year, including a 79-71 victory at the Verizon Center on June 16.

Charles had 26 points and 10 boards in that win while the Sun limited Crystal Langhorne, who ranks fourth in the league with 18.8 points per game, to just nine on 3-of-9 shooting.

Langhorne wasn't very efficient from the floor Friday, either, finishing with 15 points while making 4 of 13 shots as Washington fell 95-73 to cap a home-and-home set with Atlanta. Langhorne had 25 points and 10 rebounds in an 85-81 home victory the previous night, helping end the Mystics' season-worst nine-game skid.

Washington, a conference-worst 4-12 at home, is 1-22 when Langhorne scores fewer than 20 points. Langhorne missed three games July 3-9 with a back injury.

Forward Monique Currie, who scored eight points in 10 minutes Thursday in her first action since tearing her left ACL in the offseason, didn't take the court Friday. Her status for this matchup is unknown.

Sun's Tina Charles has 24 points, 15 rebounds

Posted Sep 04 2011 7:19PM

WASHINGTON (AP) Tina Charles had 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 79-48 victory over the Washington Mystics on Sunday.

Charles has 21 double-doubles this season, one short of the WNBA record she set last year en route to winning the Rookie of the Year award. Connecticut (20-12) has two games left this season.

``Tina Charles is certainly a forced to be reckoned with,'' Mystics coach Trudi Lacey said. ``She is a legitimate candidate for MVP. I would definitely say that.''

Making her first seven shots and reaching her double-double before halftime, Charles had a nearly flawless start to the game.

Her biggest gaffe was mistakenly beginning the game in her spare jersey. She didn't notice until the 'C' fell off the back fell in the first quarter, causing her teammates to caller her ``Tina Harles.'' At a stoppage later in the quarter, she changed into her regular road uniform.

The switch didn't slow her or her team.

Connecticut opened the game on an 11-0 run and led by at least eight the rest of game, although Washington didn't stay that close for long. A 10-0 run in the second quarter and a 17-4 run to end the third quarter extended Connecticut's lead even further.

The Sun's victory, their largest of the season, snapped a four-game road losing streak and puts them a step closer to catching the Indiana Fever, who play at the Chicago Sky on Sunday, for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The win also helps Connecticut fend off the New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream for the No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

As the Sun aim for better playoff position, Charles isn't focused on breaking her record.

``I was just doing my job,'' Charles said. ``I want to be there for my team offensively and defensively. My job is to get rebounds, and it leads to our transition and everything. So, I just go out there with the mindset just to try to get them all.''

Although Charles was missing her 'C' for part of the game, she brought all her 'D. She helped hold Mystics All-Star forward Crystal Langhorne to just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Langhorne hadn't scored so few points since she scored nine against the Sun on June 16.

Washington set season lows for points (48) and field-goal percentage (26.9) - both lows for Connecticut opponents this year, too. Monique Curry led the Mystics (6-26) with 13 points.

``I think we are physically and mentally tired,'' said Lacey, whose team has played its third game in four days.

Asjha Jones recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds for Connecticut.

The Sun swept the four-game season series against the Mystics by a combined 62 points.

Connecticut's Danielle McCray scored 13 points, and Renee Montgomery had seven assists.

• Sun: --
• Mystics: --

• Sun: --
• Mystics: Langhorne

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 0

• Arena: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
• Officials: #18 Kurt Walker, #24 Tony Dawkins, #28 Angelica Suffren
• Attendance: 13403
• Duration: 1:45