One last time

Set to host the Washington Mystics in their regular season finale, the Sun (18-15) are searching to find the rhythm that carried them through July. They’ve lose three of six, alternating wins and losses the last two weeks, and their offense has seemed to stall. At times over their road trip, they’d rely on one person for long stretches, whether that is Katie Douglas, Nykesha Sales or Lindsay Whalen scoring in bunches.

Sun coach Mike Thibault has repeatedly drilled into Kristen Rasmussen to take open shots, and Evina Maltsi has struggled over the last few games. If those two can get going, and Margo Dydek continues to provide additional offensive support, Connecticut may start clicking like it’s used to.

Today, however, stopping Alana Beard is as important. The silky smooth guard has single-handedly buried the Sun this year (24 points, 5 rebounds a game vs. Connecticut), and it will take a team effort to shut her down. That includes helping off screens better and trapping Beard when the opportunity calls for it.

As expected, Asjha Jones is out of the starting lineup. The rest of the lineups are as follows: Whalen, Douglas, Sales, Rasmussen and Dydek for the Sun; Beard, Nikki Teasley, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Monique Currie and Nakia Sanford for Washington.

Note: Today is Fan Appreciation Day at Mohegan Sun Arena and every fan attending receives a free t-shirt.