Update: Sun up on Lynx at half

The numbers will say the Sun are getting the better deal of all their trades with the Minnesota Lynx.

Tina Charles has 19 points and nine rebounds, Renee Montgomery has 12 points and Connecticut leads Minnesota, 55-41, at the half here at Mohegan Sun Arena.

No one has been able to stop Charles, who's been rarely doubel-teamed and has made everyone from Nicky Anisoke to Charde Houston to Rebekkah Brunson pay as a result. Meanwhile, Montgomery enjoyed her best offensive half as a member of the Sun, hitting 4-of-6 shots.

The Sun, however, are playing with an even shorter bench after Kerri Gardin was forced to leave the game with an apparent head injury. While grabbing a rebound with roughly 8:30 to play in the second quarter, Gardin was knocked to the ground in a vicious blind-side collision with Rashanda McCants and remained on the floor for several minutes. She was helped up by teammates and walked to the Sun bench, but left soon after. Sun coach Mike Thibault was livid because no foul was called on the play, but it was obvious that it was no malicious act on McCants' part.

Defensively, the Sun have stuck primarily with a zone defense, as Washington did when it beat Minnesota earlier this season. It's forced the Lynx to hoist up 14 3-pointers, 11 of which they've missed. Monica Wright is 1-for-5 alone.

Minnesota has survived by outrebounding the Sun, 21-17, including an amazing 12 offensive boards. (It can be difficult to find a body to box out when playing zone, which may have led to some Lynx players getting free for rebounds).