Angel McCoughtry scored 32 points in just 25 minutes of action as the Atlanta Dream knocked off the Indiana Fever 93-88 to lock down the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference on the final day of the WNBA's regular season. After starting the season at 3-9, Atlanta rallied to finish with a 20-14 record and will take on the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs.
After trailing 55-47 at halftime, Atlanta got right back into the game outscoring Indiana 24-16 and tying the game at 71-71 heading to the fourth. From there McCoughtry took control and her three-point basket with 4:31 remaining gave Atlanta a commanding 84-75 lead.
McCoughtry finished with 32 points on 9 of 14 shooting. She was 12 for 14 from the free throw line while also chipping in five rebounds and three blocks. Allison Bales came off the bench to record a double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Lindsey Harding chipped in 13 points and four assists.
Katie Douglas led Indiana with 30 points including five three-point baskets. Jessica Davenport added 15 points and nine rebounds while Tangela Smith chipped in 14. Indiana was without MVP candidate Tamika Catchings and point guard Erin Phillips who both sat out the game.
The Dream came into the season with a lot of hype as they came off of last season's WNBA Finals appearance. Early on it looked like they were going to collapse under the weight of that hype and expectations. Enough can't be said for the job that coach Marynell Meadors has done in guiding this team and navigating the WNBA season one game at a time. Now the real quest begins, and it begins with the Atlanta Dream at their best.
For more on the Atlanta Dream and the WNBA Playoff Picture, be sure and check out Swish Appeal.