Bonner helps Sun beat Atlanta

Connecticut’s Brionna Jones handles the ball during Sunday’s game against Atlanta. The Sun won 80-67. (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

Connecticut’s DeWanna Bonner made 7 of 9 three-pointers for a game-high 23 points and led the Sun to an 80-67 victory over Atlanta at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday in WNBA action.

Bonner set a new career high for three-pointers made, breaking his previous high of six in the previous three games.

It’s the eighth time this season that Bonner has scored 20 or more points in a game. The Suns are 8-0 when Bonner scores 20 or more points.

Tiffany Mitchell had a season-high 13 points, three rebounds and a block in 21 minutes off the bench while Brionna Jones had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Sun (17-4) held a 10-point lead at halftime but found their offensive rhythm in the third period, outscoring the Dream, 33-25, for a comfortable 18-point lead. The 33 points were a season high for points scored in a single quarter. Bonner made three of his 3-pointers in the third period.

Atlanta (7-13) was led by Allisha Gray with 19 points, three rebounds and two assists. Forwards Tina Charles and Nia Coffey added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Connecticut made a season-high 10 three-pointers in the game. The Sun returns to action Wednesday morning when they host the New York Liberty for an 11 a.m. game at Mohegan Sun.

• The Sun contributed 20 of their 28 baskets in the victory.
• Connecticut outrebounded Atlanta 36-31. The team is now 10-2 when outrebounding its opponent.
• It was Alyssa Thomas’ seventh game with nine or more assists this season, tying Natasha Cloud for the most games with nine or more assists in the WNBA this season.
• The Sun outscored the Dream in second-chance points (17-13) and bench points (22-17), while the Dream held the edge in paint points (28-26) and fast break points (6-5).
• Atlanta’s eight points in the second quarter were the lowest points Connecticut has held against an opponent in the second quarter this season.
• The Sun turned the ball over just nine times, one shy of their season low. The team is now 8-1 when turning the ball over 12 or fewer times.
• With the win, Suns head coach Stephanie White moves up to 18th place.^thall-time leader in WNBA history in wins, tied with James Wade and Pat Coyle (81).

Connecticut 80, Atlanta 67
In Uncasville
Atlanta (67) Gray 7-11 4-4 19, Coffey 4-6 2-2 11, Charles 5-14 2-2 13, Caldwell 1-8 2-2 ​​5, Jones 1-3, 0-0 2, Hillmon 1 -1 1-2 3, Cubaj 2-3 0-0 4, Henderson 1-4 2-4 4, Amihere 2-9 2-3 ​​​​6. Totals 24-59 15-19
Connecticut (80) Bonner 7-11 2-2 23, Thomas 3-5 1-2 7, Jones 4-8 3-4 11, Carrington 2-9 4-4 9, Harris 4-8 0-3 8, Mitchell 4-7 4-4 13, Nelson-Ododa 2-7 0-0 4, Burton 1-5 0-0 3, Banham 0-2 0-0 0, Ndour-Fall 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 28-64 14-19
Atlanta (7-13) 16 8 25 18 — 67
Connecticut (17-4) 20 14 33 13 — 80
Three-point goals: Atlanta 4-10 (Gary 1-2, Coffey 1-1, Charles 1-3, Caldwell 1-3, Henderson 0-2); Connecticut 10-23 (Bonner 7-9, Carrington 1-5, Harris 0-3, Mitchell 1-2, Banham 0-2)