Brunson scores 32, leads Monarchs to 90-70 victory over Sun

Brunson scores 32, leads Monarchs over Sun

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rebekkah Brunson scored a career-high 32 points and had 13 rebounds, leading the Sacramento Monarchs over the slumping Connecticut Sun, 90-70 on Tuesday night.

A mismatch all evening for the Sun, Brunson made 13-of-18 shots and 6-of-7 free throws in 32 minutes, which also happens to be her jersey number. Her three-point play with 2:35 left in the third quarter put the Monarchs comfortably in front, 64-48.

DeMya Walker scored 19 points for the Monarchs. Scholanda Robinson had 11 points and Nicole Powell added nine points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Kerri Gruda and Tan White both scored 13 points for the Sun, who concluded a winless four-game road trip with their fifth straight double-digit loss. Kiesha Brown scored 11 points.

The loss, combined with Detroit’s victory over Phoenix, dropped the Sun (14-17) from a fourth-place tie to sixth place in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining. The top four teams make the playoffs.

Asjha Jones missed her eighth straight game with an Achilles’ injury. Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said his leading scorer will probably miss the remainder of the regular season.

Brunson tied her previous season high of 19 points with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. She also grabbed seven rebounds in the half, when Sacramento only trailed briefly and took a 44-38 lead.

The Monarchs established control in the opening quarter, when they shot 71 percent and led 29-21. Brunson made all four shots and had 10 points and six rebounds.