Chicago Sky Takes Fourth of Five, Gives Atlanta Dream Nightmares in WNBA

Atlanta, GA (July 3, 2010)—The Chicago Sky is still the only team to beat the Atlanta Dream at home in Philips Arena this season.

Tonight's game was close most of the way. Chicago gradually built up to an eight-point advantage in the first quarter, but by halftime the score was knotted at 45. After that, the lead changed hands several times until the Sky pulled ahead by as much as six late in the fourth, finally winning 88-82.

Tonight's result puts Chicago's record at 8-9, Atlanta at 13-5.

Suddenly the Sky, still in sixth (last) place in the WNBA's Eastern Division, has won four of five, all against teams with winning records, including Atlanta, currently the division leader. While Chicago lost a close one to Atlanta in Chicago, they have not lost to the Dream on the road.

The key factors in Chicago's change of fortune were also key factors in tonight's victory.

First, All-Star Sylvia Fowles (pictured above) has increased the focus and intensity of her already exemplary play. The difference recently has been her effectiveness in the clutch, getting the rebounds and hitting the shots she needs to make to keep the team in the game.  

Tonight Fowles had her third consecutive double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. 

Second, the emergence of Tamera Young as injured Shameka Criston's replacement has been phenomenal. With Young as a starter, there is no apparent qualitative loss. As good as Criston is, an All-Star last year with New York, Young has completely filled the shoes, and if anything, has brought more energy and intensity to the court than Criston.

Third, Mistie Bass replaced Catherine Kraayveld as a starter, not because of an injury but because Kraayveld has been missing in action lately. Bass has stepped up, using her body in the paint and overall on defense, and scoring opportunistically.

Fourth, solid play by Erin Thorn and rookie of the year candidate Epiphany Prince off the bench has solidified the team's eight-woman rotation. Thorn was nine of 10 from the line and scored 14 points.

Fifth, with players like Fowles, Young, & Bass stepping up, the entire team has appeared more intense, more focused, and more determined. Their energy level seems higher, and their play has been more consistent as of late. Consistency has been, perhaps, their biggest issue. If they are able to maintain this level of consistency they could become the team to reckon with in the East.

The true test will come next Tuesday night back at home when the Indiana Fever makes their third visit this season to Allstate Arena. Thus far, this season, Indiana is the only one of the top-five WNBA teams that Chicago has been unable to beat at least once.