In the big ESPN grudge match, Detroit brought misery to Connecticut, holding the home team to 27% shooting (4-17 for three), and staving off a late comeback after Connecticut cut the lead to one possession.

Deanna Nolan looked unstoppable. Plenette Pierson scored at will. All Connecticut's jump shooters went cold (Whalen 1-8, Douglas 1-10, Sales 3-12). In those circumstances, you drive to the hoop and hope for a whistle, and Connecticut did that-- too late: 30-36 free throw shooting (almost all in the second half) gave the crowd something to cheer, but not enough.

With the semi-exception of Taj McWilliams-Franklin, the Shock looked physically stronger, and their posts looked quicker, wresting away loose ball after loose ball.

The Sun are now 1-3 vs. Detroit, 18-3 vs. the rest of the league; it was also Connecticut's first home loss this year.

Taj: “When we're down, we fight back, sooner or later. We might have waited a little too late.”

Coach Thibault: "I think [shooting] about 27% from the floor covers it."