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Sun rout Storm 88-68

Aug 14, 2010 - 2:25 AM UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) -- Asjha Jones scored 19 points and the Connecticut Sun kept their slim playoff hopes alive with an 88-68 win over the Seattle Storm on Friday night.

The Sun (15-15) trail Atlanta by 2 1/2 games and Washington by three for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Tan White scored 15 points for Connecticut, while Tina Charles had 14 and Renee Montgomery scored 13. The Sun shot a season-high 55 percent from the field.

"I thought we were crisp from the beginning," Sun coach Mike Thibault said. "We had 18 assists at halftime. That's a good sign."

Seattle (25-5) played without leading scorer Lauren Jackson, who missed the game with back spasms. Starters Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Camille Little played six minutes apiece. None played after the first period.

"We gauged the score a little bit. We started the starters. We hung in there," Seattle coach Brian Agler said. "The second quarter got away from us. We were down by 19 at halftime. 'OK, let's take advantage of the situation and just rest Sue and Swin and Camille."'

Svetlana Abrosimova led Seattle with 19 points and Abby Bishop scored 14.

"We set a lot of goals for the regular season and a lot had to do with home court for the playoffs," Bird said. "We've reached those goals. As players, though, we want to stay in rhythm. I think I speak for everyone in here when I say we don't want to get out of rhythm. You don't want to get lazy-minded."

Jones, who scored 15 of her points in the first half, made a 3-pointer to end the second period and give Connecticut a 52-33 lead at halftime.

The Sun shot 60 percent (21-35) in the first half.