Rebekkah Brunson scored a career-high 32 points and had 13 rebounds, leading the Sacramento Monarchs over the slumping Connecticut Sun 90-70 Tuesday night at Arco Arena.
A mismatch all evening for the Sun, Brunson made 13 of 18 shots and 6 of 7 free throws. 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.
Sandrine Gruda and Tan White scored 13 points each for the Sun, which concluded an eight-day trip with its fifth consecutive 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 reach the playoffs.
Asjha Jones missed her eighth 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.
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