Sun is on the verge of elimination after losing Game 3 to Lynx

Sun, on the verge of elimination after Game 3 loss to Lynx, originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It’s officially win or go home for the Connecticut Sun in their WNBA semifinal series against the Minnesota Lynx.

The Sun are 2-1 in the best-of-five series after losing Game 3 90-81 on Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. They’ll need a strong shooting performance in the next match – and a solution for Lynx forward Napheesa Collier – to force a decider in Game 5.

Connecticut shot just 41.1 percent from the floor and 3 for 20 (15 percent) from 3-point range in the loss. Meanwhile, Minnesota made 57.4 percent of its shots.

Collier dominated with a game-high 26 points (11-19 FG) and 10 rebounds. Courtney Williams (16 points), Kayla McBride (13 points) and Bridget Carleton (12 points) also played key roles in Minnesota’s win.

All five Sun starters scored in double figures, but the bench points made the difference as Minnesota totaled 16 points to Connecticut’s four. Brionna Jones led the Sun with 21 points, while Alyssa Thomas posted another near triple-double (13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) in the loss.

It was a particularly tough night for Sun guard Marina Mabrey, who had 14 points but made just one of her 12 shots from long range. She’ll try to find her groove in Game 4 this Sunday at Mohegan Sun Arena.