The Connecticut Sun had their best offensive game of the WNBA season on Saturday against Chicago, slightly outshooting the Sky with six players scoring in double figures.

Connecticut still lost, 100-93, at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Go figure.

"The difference was putting them on the free throw line," Sun guard Jasmine Thomas said. "We fouled a lot; they got a lot of free throws. And then (we were) turning it over and they scored off those turnovers. I contribute it (the loss) to that. If we take care of (the basketball) and don't foul as much, I think it's a different outcome."

The Sun (1-6) never led the game and tied it just once.

Allie Quigley scored 22 points and Cheyenne Parker added 20, including making all 12 of her free throws, for Chicago (5-2).

Kahleah Copper had 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals, Courtney Vandersloot had nine points and 11 assists, and Diamond DeShields scored 14 for the Sky.

Jasmine Thomas had 22 points, six assists, and five steals for the Sun and Alyssa Thomas added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

DeWanner Bonner had 15 points and five rebounds, rookie Kaila Charles scored 15, Bria Holmes added 12 and Brionna Jones 11 for Connecticut.

The Sun had fewer turnovers than Chicago (21 to 19), but the Sky made Connecticut's mistakes hurt a little more. They had a 29-26 edge in points off turnovers.

The free throw discrepancy was the big difference in the game. The Sky made 29 of 32 free throws, whereas Connecticut took only 21.

"It snowballed," Sun head coach Curt Miller said. "We were fouling. You run them off the (3-point) line (the Sky attempted 18, 6.2 off their average), they're going to attack you (at the rim). You run them off the (3-point) line, it creates more space for them to play through (center Cheyenne) Parker, and she got (to the line) 12 times herself. You pick your poison with them.

"We couldn't catch a break with the officials tonight. (It was) a big part of the story (of the game)."

Another edge that the Sky had over the Connecticut was their experience together. They were without starting center (Stefanie Dolson (right ankle) but had six of their top nine scorers from last year's team.

It's the fourth season in which Quigley and Vandersloot (an All-WNBA First Team pick last season) have started together in the backcourt. DeShields, a 2019 All-WNBA Second Team pick, has been coming off the bench after a knee injury. Those three also led the team in scoring last season.

The Sun are trying to build an on-court chemistry as they have six new players, including three new starters.

"That (experience) is what makes them so dangerous," Miller said about Chicago. "And then you plug in (Azura) Stevens (acquired in an offseason trade), who has really shot the ball well early in the year for them.

"There's a comfort level (for them). It's very similar to how we were last year (during their run to the WNBA Finals). There's just a comfort level in that top group playing."

Anytime Connecticut got close to Chicago, the Sky pushed back.

A 14-foot jumper by Holmes tied the game at 66 with 2 minutes, 42 seconds left in the third quarter.

Quigley made her own 3-pointer 18 seconds later. Parker followed with two free throws to push the Sky ahead, 71-66, with 2:02 remaining in the quarter.

Holmes' 3-pointer cut the deficit to 71-69 with 1:31 left in the third.

Chicago answered with an 8-0 run. DeShields got behind Connecticut's defense on back-to-back possessions for five points.

Quigley's technical free throw gave the Sky a 79-69 lead with 30.9 seconds remaining in the quarter.

"(We'd) change the momentum," Miller said, "(but) a transition basket by them would flip the momentum again."

n.griffen@theday.com