Aaliyah Edwards Leads Sun Past Sky 87-81

The Connecticut Sun defeated the Chicago Sky 87-81 on Tuesday, August 25, behind Aaliyah Edwards’ 26-point, 10-rebound double-double at Mohegan Sun Arena. Connecticut built an 18-point lead through three quarters, then held off Chicago’s 28-point fourth-quarter push to secure the six-point home win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Sun 16, Sky 8

Connecticut established control early, limiting Chicago to eight points in the opening period. The Sun’s eight-point advantage set the tone for a game in which they spent most of the night playing from ahead.

Second Quarter: Sun 28, Sky 21

The Sun extended their margin in the second quarter with 28 points, taking a 44-29 lead into halftime. Connecticut’s offense found enough balance to build separation while Chicago continued to search for consistent perimeter production.

Third Quarter: Sun 27, Sky 24

Chicago improved offensively after halftime, but Connecticut answered with 27 points of its own to preserve its advantage. The Sun entered the fourth quarter ahead 71-53 after winning the third period by three.

Fourth Quarter: Sky 28, Sun 16

The Sky made the finish competitive by outscoring Connecticut 28-16 over the final 10 minutes. Chicago’s late offense trimmed the deficit, but the Sun’s work over the first three quarters gave them enough room to come away with the 87-81 result.

Key Performers

Aaliyah Edwards, Connecticut Sun: Edwards led all scorers with 26 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double. Her production on both ends of the floor was central to Connecticut building its early lead.

Charlisse Leger-Walker, Connecticut Sun: Leger-Walker handed out a team-high seven assists, helping the Sun finish with 21 assists on 30 made field goals.

Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky: Cardoso paced Chicago with 24 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Her double-double gave the Sky a reliable interior presence throughout the comeback attempt.

Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky: Vandersloot recorded nine assists, a game high, as Chicago finished with 23 assists and generated more offense late in the game.

NerdSports Stat: Connecticut’s 18-point lead entering the fourth quarter was exactly three times its final six-point margin, showing how important the Sun’s first three quarters were after Chicago won the final period by 12.

Game Analysis

Connecticut’s advantage came from its ability to create separation before the fourth quarter. The Sun outscored Chicago 71-53 across the first three periods and shot 42.9% from the field compared with the Sky’s 41.7%.

Perimeter efficiency also favored Connecticut. The Sun made 7 of 20 three-point attempts for 35.0%, while Chicago went 6-for-29 from beyond the arc, a 20.7% rate. That one additional make came on nine fewer attempts, giving Connecticut more efficient spacing across the game.

The Sun also held a 37-34 edge on the glass and made five more free throws, finishing 20-for-27 at the line. Chicago’s 23 assists exceeded Connecticut’s 21, and its fourth-quarter performance showed improved ball movement, but the Sky could not fully erase the deficit created before the final period.

Closing Context

The win moved Connecticut to 10-27 overall and 7-12 at home, while Chicago fell to 15-24 and 5-14 on the road. The Sun will quickly turn their attention to Wednesday’s home game against the Golden State Valkyries. Chicago next faces the New York Liberty on Saturday as it looks to respond after a close road loss.

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