CHICAGO (AP) — Courtney Vandersloot scored 20 points and handed out 15 of Chicago's WNBA record-tying 35 assists to help the Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 97-86 on Friday night.
Chicago (11-19), which tied the record set by the Minnesota Lynx last season, called a timeout with 15.5 seconds remaining and a nine-point lead to draw up a potential record-breaking play. Sun coach Curt Miller was visibly upset could be heard on the sideline calling the timeout "bush league". The teams play again on Sunday in Connecticut.
Allie Quigley added 17 points, Stefanie Dolson scored 16 and Diamond DeShields had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Sky. Rookie Gabby Williams scored 11 points and Kahleah Copper 10.
Quigley hit a 3-pointer to cap a 9-2 opening spurt and the Sky never trailed. Copper converted a 3-point play to cap a 12-4 run that pushed the lead to 13 with three minutes left in the first quarter and back-to-back baskets by Deshields gave the Sky their biggest lead of the game at 61-41 early in the second half.
Shekinna Stricklen hit three 3s in a 57-second span, and Jonquel Jones scored 10 points, during a 24-7 spurt that trimmed Sun's deficit to 72-69 early in the fourth quarter, but Chicago scored 13 of the next 16 points to pull away for good.
Chiney Ogwumike had 18 points to lead Connecticut (17-13), which had its five-game win streak snapped.
