UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Tina Charles had no idea that it was such a historic night for some of her Connecticut Sun teammates Saturday until she overheard reporters talking in the locker room.
Charles suddenly began bellowing to her teammates, happily informing them that Tan White had just eclipsed 2,000 career points and Kara Lawson exceeded 600 career assists.
A rousing cheer ensued in the locker room, following Connecticut’s 82-75 victory over Washington.
“I’m excited that they’re excited,” said White, who had a nine points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
Charles and Renee Montgomery scored 16 points apiece.
Connecticut (15-8) held Washington scoreless for a five-minute stretch in the fourth period while snapping a 63-63 tie to take lead for good.
Danielle McCray scored 12 points for the Sun, and Lawson added 10.
Lawson and White each hit 3-pointers in the final 2:08 to help the Sun seal the game.
Crystal Langhorne led the Mystics (5-16) with 17 points despite battling foul trouble. Langhorne missed all but 24 seconds of the third period when she was whistled for her fourth foul.
Matee Ajavon and Marisa Coleman had 14 points apiece for Washington and DeMya Walker, cut by Connecticut earlier this season, had 12.
Connecticut went 11 for 11 at the free-throw line in the first half and led 44-43 at halftime.
The Mystics, playing their second game in two nights, shot 69 percent (11 of 16) and led 29-26 after the first period.
“I don’t know if it was their hot shooting or our bad defense,” Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. “But after the first quarter we looked like we were supposed to look.”
The Sun attempted 29 free throws and Washington attempted seven.
“We have played with tremendous heart and determination all year. There have been games that we have come up short, but we have been in every single game right up until the end,” Washington coach Trudi Lacey said. “We played a tight game, we weren’t as aggressive as I would have liked us to be. Connecticut shot 29 free throws and we only shot seven, and I thought that was the big difference in the game.”
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