Atlanta — Curt Miller challenged his Connecticut Sun to learn how to win ugly this WNBA season.

One must always be careful what he wishes for.

The Sun shot a gruesome 28.4 percent at the Atlanta Dream on Sunday afternoon, yet used a late run to pull away for a 65-59 win before 3,082 at State Farm Arena.

Connecticut (5-1) used an 8-0 run with over three minutes left to win.

“In 30 years I’ve never been associated with a win when you shoot in the 20 percents,” Miller said. “Our defense is what we’ve hung our hats on so far this season when our offense has struggled.

“I’m proud of them. We got swept by this team last year (in three regular-season games). So proud of their grittiness, their toughness.”

Connecticut made 21 of 74 shots. The Dream shot 32.4 percent.

The Sun had 13 steals, the third consecutive game in which they had double-digit thefts. They also converted 19 Atlanta turnovers into 20 points.

“I think our defense has been carrying us for the most part,” the Sun's Jonquel Jones said. “We haven’t even been shooting as well. We have to get that going. Our defense is getting us where we need to be and as long as we are in the win column, we’re happy.”

Connecticut’s shooting percentage wouldn’t rank among the five worst in WNBA history by a winning team. The now defunct-Miami Sol shot 24.4 percent (10 of 41) in a 59-52 win over the Seattle Storm on July 10, 2000.

The Sun also shot 33.8 percent in an 80-74 win at the Las Vegas Aces on June 2.

Jones led Connecticut on Sunday with 17 points and 13 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the young season. She also had five blocks.

Alyssa Thomas had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Sun and Courtney Williams had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Tiffany Hayes, who was a 2018 first team All-WNBA pick, had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Atlanta (1-4). Reserve Brittney Sykes had 14 points and five rebounds.

Jasmine Thomas struggled as much as any Sun player (she missed 12 of 15 shots), but she had six assists, four rebounds, three steals and sparked her team’s game-winning run.

Thomas had a steal and turned it into a transition layup to break a 57-all with 3 minutes, 30 seconds remaining. She later made the first of two free throws.

Jones added a 3-pointer and Williams’ 17-foot jumper gave the Connecticut a 65-57 lead with 34 seconds left.

Oddly enough, the Sun got off to a strong start offensively. They led by as much as 26-10 with 26.8 seconds left in the first quarter.

Connecticut made 9 of 17 shots (52.9 percent) in that quarter.

The Sun return home to play the Washington Mystics on Tuesday. The Mystics are 4-1. Their loss was during their season opener, 84-69, at Connecticut on May 25. Washington was without 2015 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne due to injury and fellow starter Kristi Toliver was hurt during that loss and missed most of the second half.