Perhaps this was what the Atlanta Dream needed to get back on track. Saturday night's 76-68 win over Chicago was a gritty and sluggish defensive affair that even turned chippy in the second half with both teams trading out technical fouls. Coach Marynell Meadors called the performance the Dream's best outing of the year so far.
Angel McCoughtry came up big with 24 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Lindsey Harding also had a nice line with 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Armintie Price started her second game in a row and finished with a double double going for 13 points and 10 assists.
Atlanta's defense helped fuel their offense and the Dream were able to push the ball on each and every opportunity building an early 20-5 lead. Chicago was able to slow the pace considerably and answered with a 17-2 run of their own to get back into the game.
Sylvia Fowles kept the Sky in the game by herself finishing with a near triple double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight blocks. Cathrine Kraayeveld added 12 points including three baskets from beyond the arc. Michelle Snow logged a double double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Atlanta needed a good down and dirty win and maybe this can be the start of their turnaround. They are still desperately trying to get healthy and played tonight without both Sancho Lyttle and Coco Miller. Lyttle sat out with a back injury and Miller twisted her ankle in shootaround this morning.