Breanna Stewart helps Liberty cool off Sun

Breanna Stewart recorded 21 points, six rebounds, six steals, five assists and four blocked shots to help the New York Liberty rally to an 81-65 victory over the visiting Connecticut Sun on Saturday afternoon.

Courtney Vandersloot added 18 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as New York (2-1) outscored the Sun 49-27 in the second half. Sabrina Ionescu had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Liberty.

Tiffany Hayes scored 16 points and DeWanna Bonner added 14 for Connecticut (3-1). Brionna Jones had 12 points, eight rebounds and four steals for the Sun.

Stewart, in her first season with New York, set a franchise record with 78 points in the first three games of a season. Tina Charles (71 in 2018) held the former mark.

Stewart made three 3-pointers and was 7 of 16 from the field. She set a career high and Liberty record with 45 points in New York's previous game against the Indiana Fever.

The Liberty made 47.1 percent of their shots and were 9 of 22 from behind the arc. Ionescu made four treys.

Connecticut shot 34.9 percent from the field, including 8 of 23 from 3-point range.

The Liberty outscored Connecticut 25-13 in the third quarter to turn a six-point halftime deficit into a six-point lead.

Vandersloot scored two baskets during a 9-0 run in which New York took a 53-45 advantage with 2:04 left in the third quarter.

Vandersloot began the spurt with a runner, Stewart made a steal and fed Ionescu for a layup and Vandersloot drove for a layup. Stewart drilled a 3-pointer to cap the spurt.

After Alyssa Thomas made two free throws for the Sun, Stewart knocked down another a 3-pointer to make it a nine-point lead with 1:20 left in the period. New York led 57-51 entering the final stanza.

Vandersloot drained a 3-pointer to push the Liberty's lead over 10 for the first time at 64-52 with 7:24 remaining.

Ionescu's 3-pointer pushed the lead to 77-61 with 2:11 left as New York closed out the win.

Hayes had nine first-half points as Connecticut led 38-32 at the break. Stewart had just six on 3-of-8 shooting in the half for New York.