Hardy Leads Sun to Win in WNBA Debut

Former Husker Kiera Hardy scored a game-high 12 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 45 seconds left to lift the Connecticut Sun to a 61-60 victory over the New York Liberty in Hardy's WNBA debut in Bridgeport, Conn.

Nebraska's career three-point leader with 267 in four seasons at Nebraska, Hardy connected on four three-pointers in just 13 minutes of action. Hardy stayed on the court for the final 7:26, and hit 4-of-8 shots from the field for the game. She added three rebounds and an assist in the Sun's exhibition opener as a reserve point guard.

Hardy, who played shooting guard throughout her Husker career, was drafted with the final pick of the third round in the 2007 WNBA Draft. Connecticut is giving Hardy a shot to earn a roster spot as a point guard.

The switch from shooting guard to point guard is difficult, but Hardy is working hard to make the necessary adjustments to her game.

"You have to have the right mentality," Hardy said in a postgame interview. "Accept it and don't try to fight it. And learn, which is what I've been trying to do. Obviously, it's hard when I want to shoot, but this team is loaded. (I've had to learn) to just be more assertive. When I say assertive, I mean getting us set up in the offense, making sure everybody is in the right spot and thinking more for everybody instead of just what I have to do." "

Hardy was a key in Connecticut's come-from-behind win against the Liberty. The Sun trailed by as many as nine points (50-41) in the fourth quarter and had four rookies on the floor for most of the game because a majority of the Sun's starters are still competing overseas. New York had its entire roster available.