Parker scores 22, Sky beat Sun 85-77 to even the series
CHICAGO - Candace Parker scored 22 points and the Chicago Sky evened the semifinal series with an 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs Wednesday night.
Chicago coach James Wade said pregame that Chicago was "going to make shots" Wednesday after a lackluster 35.3% shooting performance in Game 1. The Sky responded by hitting six of 10 shots to open the game, and finished the night 32 of 63 (50.8%). All five starters scored in double figures for Chicago.
Game 3 is in Connecticut on Sunday.
Jonquel Jones scored a team-high 23 points for the Sun on 10 of 17 shooting, adding seven rebounds and two blocks.
The Sun never led after Jones hit a 3 on the first possession of the game.
Forward Emma Meesseman found her rhythm with back-to-back baskets in the opening minutes after a 4 of 11 shooting performance in Game 1. The 6-foot-4 forward finished with 14 points on an efficient 6 of 8 shooting clip to go along with seven rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals.
Jones and Odyssey Sims keyed a 6-0 Connecticut run early in the second quarter, but Chicago responded and pushed the lead to 10 on Courtney Vandersloot’s layup. The Sky carried a 47-32 lead into the half after hitting 19 of 31 shots.
Sun point guard Natisha Hiedeman added 14 points on 6 of 10 shooting with most coming in the second half.
DeWanna Bonner went 0 for 6 from the field and finished with two points after leading the Sun with 15 points in Game 1.
Parker capped her scoring contributions with a turnaround jumper near the baseline and a 3 at the 6:17 mark which gave Chicago a 76-56 cushion.
Parker hit three shots while drawing fouls in the first half, including a 3, but missed the and-one free throw on each occasion.
Vandersloot scored 10 points and tallied a game-high eight assists and Allie Quigley went 3 of 6 from long range to finish with 13 points.
NOT SO FREE THROWS
Connecticut shot just 8 of 16 at the free throw line. Chicago hit 15 of 22 (68.2%) of its free throw attempts.
UP NEXT
The series shifts to Connecticut on Sunday afternoon for Game 3.