UNCASVILLE, Connecticut — Tyasha Harris scored 15 points, DiJonai Carrington had 12 points and 12 rebounds and the Connecticut Sun got off to a flying start in the third quarter, defeating the Chicago Sky 87-54 on Thursday night.
With the win in the last game of the regular season, the Sun (28-12) secured third place in the playoffs and will face sixth-seeded Indiana in the first round starting Sunday.
The loss eliminated Chicago (13-27) from the playoff race. To qualify for the playoffs as eighth seed, the Sky had to beat the Sun and also lose the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics. Chicago remained winless in four games against Connecticut this season.
Dana Evans scored 14 points for Sky, Isabelle Harrison 13 and Kaela Davis added 12.
Connecticut led 20-15 after the first quarter and increased its lead to 46-35 by halftime. The Sun’s 23-6 lead in the third quarter sealed the deal.
Harris made 6 of 9 shots and Alyssa Thomas made 13 of 5 of 6 shots. Marina Mabrey and Olivia Nelson-Ododa each made 12 and DeWanna Bonner made 11.
Other matchups on Sunday include the Dream facing the No. 2 seed New York Liberty, the No. 2 seed Minnesota Lynx hosting the No. 7 seed Phoenix Mercury and the final opening round matchup is the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces hosting the No. 5 seed Seattle Storm.
Las Vegas is trying to become the first team to win three straight titles since Houston won four in a row in the WNBA’s first four seasons – from 1997 to 2000.
