Mohegan — Connecticut Sun head coach Curt Miller challenged his team before the season to learn how to win ugly games.

The Sun took that dare and have made a habit of it.

Connecticut found a way to grind out another tough win on Thursday night. Courtney Williams scored 12 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter as the Sun won their sixth straight, 68-62, over the Phoenix Mercury before 6,014 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Connecticut shot just 36.6 percent.

“I think it was something we struggled with in years past when we lost a lot of close games,” Connecticut’s Morgan Tuck said. “This year we’re not losing them. It’s good to see that because, when you get in the playoffs, every game is not going to be a blowout or we’re not (always) going to play pretty.

“Right now, we’re pretty good at winning ugly.”

The Sun (15-6) have a one-game lead over both the Las Vegas Aces (14-7) and Washington Mystics (13-6) for first place in the overall WNBA standings. The Aces lost to the Los Angeles Sparks late Thursday, 76-68.

Connecticut also has the league’s best home record (11-1).

Jonquel Jones had 15 points and 14 rebounds, Shekinna Stricklen scored 12 and Williams added five assists for the Sun. Jasmine Thomas also had 10 points and three steals and Alyssa Thomas seven rebounds and three steals.

Phoenix (10-10) has been one of the league's most resilient marvels this season. It has been able to maintain a winning record despite having just nine players due to injuries.

The Mercury began the game without starters Essence Carson (right calf) and Diana Taurasi (back), as well as reserve Sancho Lyttle (knee).

Center Brittney Griner, the league's leading scorer, played just 11 minutes she got tangled up with Sun Shekinna Stricklen with 3 minutes, 2 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The two went down with Griner walking off under her own power after a few moments and Stricklen having to be helped to the bench.

Both players later returned, but Griner didn't play the entire second half.

“It was an ankle (injury),” Griner said, “and I hope it is not too bad because I am not sure we can survive with eight players.”

DeWanner Bonner had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Leilani Mitchell had 13 points, five rebounds and four steals for the Mercury, who have won eight of their last 13 games.

“I liked our fight,” Phoenix head coach Sandy Brondello said. “We fought hard, but it’s hard when we lose our best scorer and inside presence (Griner).

“There were things we could have done better offensively and obviously Courtney Williams hurt us down the stretch.”

Connecticut is 4-2 in games in which its shot under 37 percent. That includes a 65-59 win at the Atlanta Dream on June 9 in which it shot 28.4 percent.

The Sun outrebounded the Mercury, 40-29. That included a 12-6 edge in offensive boards. It also had an 18-16 turnover advantage.

“We know now how to do it,” Williams said about winning ugly. “We’re trying to make it our business to do those little things (to win).”

Connecticut tried all game to build anything more than a three-point lead and finally did so late.

Tuck's driving layup put the Sun ahead, 54-52, with 5 minutes, 59 seconds remaining. Williams followed with a floater.

Tuck forced a tie-up with Bonner on the other end. Jasmine Thomas managed to get the tip and threw it up ahead to Williams for a layup and 58-52 lead with 5:02 left in the game.

“Courtney Williams got going in the fourth quarter,” Sun head coach Curt Miller said. “Our team played through her. They stayed confident. (Jones) did some nice things when we really needed her to. The person that I called out in the locker room was Morgan Tuck. (She) hasn't always got extended minutes and especially hasn't always earned the minutes in crunch time. I'm really proud of her tonight.

“She moved us offensively. She moved the ball and got the defense to move, and defensively, I thought she was really, really solid. So hats off to Morgan Tuck. To stay ready. To stay the professional that she is, is a credit to her, a credit to her pedigree and her four national championships. It hasn't always worked out for her in terms of minutes, but she was ready tonight and we needed it."

n.griffen@theday.com