SB Nation Atlanta - Liberty Vs. Dream: Atlanta Drops Second Straight Game Losing 85-75https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-08-02T21:46:31-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21037722011-08-02T21:46:31-04:002011-08-02T21:46:31-04:00Liberty Vs. Dream Final Score: Angel McCoughtry's 24 Points Not Enough As Atlanta Falls 85-75
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<p>Leilani Mitchell scored all 12 of her points in the fourth quarter as the New York Liberty were able to hold off the Atlanta Dream by a score of 85-75. Atlanta drops its second straight game after a five game winning streak and falls a half game out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. </p>
<p>Angel McCoughtry scored a game high 24 points but the Dream couldn't come up with enough stops at the defensive end of the floor to slow down the Liberty. New York really dug in on the defensive end effectively keeping Atlanta off balance and out of rhythm offensively. Lindsey Harding finished with 14 points and nine assists while Erika de Souza chipped in 11. The Dream shot 45 percent from the field but missed all six of their three point attempts and went just 13 of 22 from the free throw line. </p>
<p>Planette Pierson led the Liberty with 20 points and eight rebounds. Cappie Pondexter added 16 points and Nicole Powell pitched in 13. As a team New York combined to go 11-19 from three point range including four daggers from Mitchell in the fourth quarter. That hot shooting enabled the Liberty to overcome 19 turnovers in the game. New York held its own with Atlanta on the boards winning the rebounding battle by a 36-29 count. </p>
<p>The loss sets up a tough stretch of upcoming games for the Dream who finish up their brief home stand with a Sunday afternoon match up against Seattle. After Sunday, Atlanta then will play seven of its next eight games on the road including a west coast trip that will take them through Phoenix, Seattle, and Los Angeles. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Dream and the WNBA, be sure and check out <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com">Swish Appeal</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/2/2340744/liberty-vs-dream-final-score-angel-mccoughtrys-24-points-not-enoughKris Willis2011-08-02T20:38:18-04:002011-08-02T20:38:18-04:00Liberty Vs. Dream Score: Atlanta Trailing New York 46-40 At Halftime
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<p>If the Atlanta Dream are going to pull out a victory at home against the New York Liberty then they are going to have to pick it up defensively and find a way to share the ball on offense. The Liberty shot a red hot 53 percent from the field in the first half including hitting five of 12 three point attempts. </p>
<p>Atlanta shot just 43 percent in the first half but helped themselves by getting to the line 14 times. The Dream as a team have only five assists which shows that their offensive game has broken down into too many one on one situations. Atlanta is really lucky to be as close as they are but the free throw disparity combined with 12 turnovers by the Liberty have them still within striking distance. </p>
<p>New York's Plenette Pierson leads all scorers with 15 first half points. Nicole Powell has 10 and Cappie Pondexter has nine for the Liberty.</p>
<p>Angel McCoughtry came off the bench to score 13 points to lead the Dream. Lindsey Harding finished the half with eight points. McCoughtry was held out of the starting lineup due to a disciplinary action by head coach Marynell Meadors. </p>
<p>Atlanta is without the services of point guard Shalee Lehning who injured her knee in Sunday's game against Connecticut. Lehning awaits the results of an MRI and is in street clothes this evening for the Dream.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Atlanta Dream and the WNBA be sure and check out <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com">Swish Appeal</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/2/2340614/liberty-vs-dream-score-atlanta-trailing-new-york-46-40-at-halftimeKris Willis2011-08-02T14:01:26-04:002011-08-02T14:01:26-04:00Liberty Vs. Dream: Atlanta Looking To Get Back In The Win Column Against New York
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<p>The Atlanta Dream look to start another winning streak when they take on the New York Liberty tonight at Philips Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on Fox SportSouth. </p> <p>The Atlanta Dream wrap up their season series with the New York Liberty Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Atlanta is just 1-2 this season against New York most recently dropping 91-69 contest on July 13. That loss seemed to ignite the Dream who won their next five contests to help them inch back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta's win streak was snapped on Sunday by Connecticut but the Dream will be looking to bounce back and even the season series against the Liberty. </p>
<p>Angel McCoughtry has been on fire of late, capturing her second straight WNBA Player of the Week award and averaging 32 points a game over her last four. McCoughtry scored 36 in the loss to Connecticut on Sunday. The challenge for Atlanta comes on the defensive end. During their winning streak, they allowed more than 79 points just once. On the season, they are allowing opposing teams to score 82 points on average which puts them in the bottom half of the league. </p>
<p>The Liberty enter Tuesday's game at 10-8 and in the No. 3 spot in the East, two full games ahead of the Dream. Cappie Pondexter leads the Liberty in scoring and assists averaging 17.1 and 4.8 on the season. Against Atlanta she is averaging just 13.3 points on 34 percent shooting. It will be key for Atlanta to make Pondexter work as hard as she can for her opportunities. </p>
<p>Tip off for tonight's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on Fox SportSouth. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Dream, Liberty, and the WNBA be sure and check out <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com">Swish Appeal</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2011/8/2/2339683/liberty-vs-dream-atlanta-looking-to-get-back-in-the-win-columnKris Willis