Montgomery, Charles lead Sun past Silver Stars

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Renee Montgomery scored 23 points, Tina Charles had 18 points and eight rebounds to become the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 800 career rebounds, and the Connecticut Sun beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 83-79 Friday night.

Charles began the day four rebounds short of the milestone and got it with 2:02 remaining in the third quarter. She reached the mark in her 71st career game, besting the previous mark set by Yolanda Griffith, who did it in her 72nd game.

Charles also had three blocks to help the Sun open the season with three wins for the second time in franchise history.

Danielle Adams scored 21 for the Silver Stars (1-1). Shameka Christon had 14 points and Becky Hammon added 11 points and eight assists.

The Sun led 62-60 with 7:41 to go before pulling away with a 12-0 run. Charles began the spurt with a three-point play and followed it by making the second of two free throws after getting Adams to commit her fourth foul.

Montgomery had a steal and a layup and Asjha Jones made a long jumper. Montgomery added another drive, and Hightower went coast-to-coast to stretch the Sun's lead to 74-60 with 4:57 remaining.

Jones made two free throws to give Connecticut its biggest lead at 76-61 with 4:11 to go.

Christon scored six consecutive points — on three free throws and a 3-pointer — to pull the Silver Stars to 82-77 with 18.3 seconds left.

Montgomery made a free throw 2 seconds later and Christon missed two 3s in the final 11 seconds before Danielle Robinson made a layup with 2.4 seconds remaining to close the scoring.

Hammon was held to six points on 2-for-4 shooting in the first half. Her 3 with 3:50 to go in the third gave the Silver Stars a 53-52 lead. However, the Sun scored the next six points to take the lead for good.

Lawson made two free throws, Charles hit a hook shot and Montgomery made a driving layup to put the Sun up 58-53 with 2:22 to go in the period.

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