Sky Eclipse the Sun

By: Jerome Cusson

The gloomy clouds are beginning to cover the Connecticut Sun, as they continued a five-game losing streak by losing 73-65 to the Chicago Sky Friday.

Five players scored in double figures for the Sky, led by guard Jia Perkins’ 15. But it was not one player that won the game, but rather a team effort that withstood the third quarter onslaught of the Sun.

Despite holding a 14-point lead going into halftime, the Sky were outscored 24-14 in the third and it appeared to be a “Here we go again” type script for Chicago, who’ve managed to lose a great deal of close games. Things appeared to get even worse when back-up point guard K.B. Sharp, already replacing the previously injured Dominique Canty, twisted her ankle. But finally, it was meant to be. After the game was tied with 5:31 left in the game, the Sky went on a 13-5 run.

“We finally got one of those close wins,” Coach Steven Key said.

One of the keys to the Sky victory was center Chastity Melvin. Her 13 points and 6 rebounds carried much of the inside game for the now 7-14 Sky. Coach Key discussed her effort.

“Chastity has come up with an attitude to win,” Key said. “And she has made a conscious effort the last few games to step up.”

Melvin felt she had been going through something of a slump up until the few games.

“But I just kept working,” she said, “and I’m going to continue making an effort to get better.”

Although she hasn’t played a great deal this season, point guard Quianna Chaney also came up big with eight points in the second quarter, 10 total for the game.

“She came and did a good job,” Key said, “And as long as we didn’t completely lose it, we wanted to give ourselves a chance to win.”

Despite the Sky finally picking up their victory over the Sun, they have a long road ahead if they want to make the playoffs. First up for the Sky is a rematch with the Sun. Just 36 hours after Friday night’s game, these same two teams will meet in a Sunday matinee. The next home game for the Sky is against the Indiana Fever next Tuesday night. Coach Key has set a goal for his team before the month-long break for the Olympics.

“We’re not there yet, and we need to win three of five going into the break so we can start thinking about the playoffs.”

Melvin believes a good ending would mean a lot because she feels that every team has had their run, and this may be the Sky’s turn.

“Our confidence has been building even through all of those tough losses,” Melvin said.

Perhaps tonight’s game could be a sign of sunnier skies ahead for the team from Chicago.

Sky Injury Notes: After injuring her knee in the July 13 game against the Atlanta Dream, guard Dominique Canty underwent arthroscopic surgery and will be out 3-4 weeks, team sources said. Also, first round draft pick Sylvia Fowles could make her return to the team before the Olympic break.

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Jerome Cusson is a proud graduate of Columbia College Chicago. Currently, he is a freelance writer and a contributer to such websites as The Cool Kids' Table and giveawaytheending.com. Check out his NSR blog as well.

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