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“Hopefully their still ticked off’ said coach Becky Hammon about her team’s mindset going into game 4. “In that locker room We Believe”, said coach Miller. “It's going to be a war, going to be a battle”, said coach Hammon.
The buzzer goes off and the game begins. The crowd is already going crazy! Dewanna Bonner hit the first bucket; the atmosphere was ecstatic. The first quarter was rocky, and each team had turnovers, but the defense for each team was competing on a battle level. Courtney Williams gets her second foul at the 5:26 minute mark. The Sun was only shooting 37.5% from the field. The Sun knocked down some shots, with a low scoring first quarter. The Aces were leading 16-12 while only shooting 40% from the field. Chelsea Gray had 5pts and for the Sun Alyssa Thomas had 6pts.
The Aces were feeling it on the offensive end with Aja Wilson going on a little 5-0 run alone. The second quarter things got a little spicy. At the 6:50 minute mark there were two technical fouls one to Natisha Heiderman and one to Kelsey Plum. The Aces were leading 25-15. When the Sun needed a bucket, Courtney Williams came and knocked down her smooth jumper. The Sun finally got to the foul line and Odyssey Sims knocked down both free throws, bringing the Sun within 7pts (18-25). The last 2 and half minutes of the second quarter was so much fun! Jonquel Jones was having a “block party” on Aja Wilson and came back with the “and 1” on the other end bringing the Sun within 5 points. Chelsea Gray could not miss a shot. Riquna Williams comes with a timely three pointer and Jonquel answers with her shot falling from behind the arc causing Coach Becky Hammon to call a timeout.
The Aces were winning 30-28 at the half, shooting 33.3% and Sun shooting 35.5%. The Aces won the rebound battle 21-17 and the Top Performers were Aja Wilson with 7, Chelsea Gray with 7. Top performers for the Sun were Dewanna Bonner with 6pts, Alyssa Thomas 6pts, 2 Blocks, and Courtney Williams with 7pts.
This entire series has been a fight, but the third quarter was grind time for these two teams. They were going bucket for bucket, when Jonquel Jones knocked down a three pointer with a little over 5 minutes in the quarter and the Sun got their first lead 42-39. The Sun could not stop Chelsea Gray! At the 3:14 minute mark, JJ gets her fourth foul and must check out of the game, with Brionna Jones checking in. The third quarter comes to an end with the Aces up 53-49.
The fourth quarter begins, and the real battle starts. Timely and blocked shots, costly turnovers, the Sun was still believing and putting on a strong fight. Courtney Williams for 3!!!! This brought the Sun within 5pts making it 58-53. With 3:46 left in the game, Dewanna Bonner was fouled on the 3pt line, in which she made all three free throws and brought the score to 64-67. Riquna Williams makes a 25ft jumper and gives the Aces a two-point lead 73-71 with 1:39 left in the game. At this point, the fans were going crazy! Everyone was out of their seats and Mohegan Arena was rocking! Riquna Williams and the entire Las Vegas team was determined and came in clutch ending the game on an 8-0 run 78-71 final score.
Photo by Las Vegas Aces Twitter
The Las Vegas Aces are the 2022 WNBA Champions; bringing in their first franchise Championship. Riquna Williams ended the night with 17pts, Kelsey plum with 15pts, and Chelsea Gray with 20pts and winning the Finals MVP. Top performers for the Sun were Courtney Williams with 17pts 6rebounds, and Alyssa Thomas with another Triple Double 11pts, 10 rebounds and 11ast.
“It hurts, it stings,” said Jonquel Jones.
“I’m grateful to be here. A lot of people had me out the league,” said Courtney Williams.
The Connecticut Sun had a great season! As Coach Hammond said, “trademark for toughness” Congratulations to Coach Hamon and the Las Vegas Aces, Coach of the year, Year 1 and brought the Championship home. “It was about proving myself right”