It isn't easy to upstage Diana Taurasi but despite Taurasi's game-high 26 points, the star of Friday's WNBA game at Mohegan Sun was another former UConn star.

Tina Charles had 23 rebounds, one shy of the single-game league record set by Chamique Holdsclaw in 2003, and 19 points as the Sun held off the defending WNBA champions 82-79 to sweep the season series from the Mercury for the first time since 2005.

Charles came into the game averaging a league best 11.4 rebounds per game. If she maintains her current pace, she will not only obliterate Taj McWilliams-Franklin franchise record for rebounds in a season but she will shatter Cheryl Ford's single-season record. Ford had 363 rebounds in 2006 and Charles is on pace to pull down 418 rebounds.

"That is what I wanted from myself," Charles said. "It is the reason why I went to UConn and this is the type of player that Coach Auriemma produces over there and this is what I wanted from myself."

Taurasi, who missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 6.9 seconds to play, was impressed with Charles' effort but not surprised with how quickly she has become a dominant pro player.

"All the really good players that come out of Connecticut, he sets you up to come here and play really well and do well so I am not surprised," Taurasi said. "She has been phenomenal so far this year."

U.S. WIN AGAIN
UConn incoming freshman Bria Hartley had 10 points, one of eight U.S. players in double figures, as well as five rebounds and five assists as the U.S. wrapped up preliminary play in the FIBA U-18 World Championship for Women with an 108-44 win over Puerto Rico. Diamond DeShields, who is on UConn's recruiting radar, led the U.S. with 14 points. UConn signee Stefanie Dolson had five points and five rebounds.

The U.S. won Pool B and will play Pool A runnerup Chile in Saturday's semifinals.