The Sports Inquirer

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Behind a game-high 29 points and 14 rebounds from Tina Charles, the New York Liberty earned an 83-76 road win over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday afternoon at Philips Arena. The loss snapped Atlanta’s two-game winning streak.

Three other Liberty players scored in double-figures; Anna Cruz (18), Cappie Pondexter (13) and Alex Montgomery (11).

Atlanta’s Angel McCoughtry had a team-high 28 points for the Dream along with five steals and and six rebounds. It was the third-consecutive game that she has scored 20 or more points in a contest.

Sancho Lyttle also had a team-highs in rebounds (6), steals (6) along with 16 points. The six steals tie a season high for a Dream player this season.

Atlanta guard Celine Dumerc started the game for the Dream and had a career-high nine assists in the loss.

“We wanted to come out with a little more energy but couldn’t get into a rhythm,” said Atlanta assistant coach Karleen Thompson. “New York played a physical game and we have to regroup before our tough road trip.”

New York outrebounded 34-26 in the contest including 10 offensive boards compared to only five for the Dream. “Rebounding is the key to our offense because we like to run and other teams crash the boards to stop us,” Thompson stated. “We need to pick that up.”

Atlanta had a 35-34 lead at halftime and started the second half with five straight points from Erika DeSouza. She finished the contest with 13 points and four rebounds. However, the Liberty took control of the contest paced by a 9-0 run during the middle of the third quarter to take a 60-51 lead into the fourth.

Atlanta outscored the Liberty 25-23 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

The game started with a low-scoring first quarter with the Liberty taking a 16-15 lead into the second quarter.

Atlanta ended the second quarter on a 6-0 lead and entered halftime leading 35-34. McCoughtry and Lyttle each had a team-high 10 points at halftime for the Dream. McCoughtry also had a game-high five steals while Lyttle grabbed a team-high four rebounds.

Charles had a game-high 14 point and eight rebounds at halftime for the Liberty. Montgomery was also in double-figures for the road team with all 11 of her points.

Thompson notes that “we need to improve mental focus, practice hard and put together 40 minutes of Dream basketball which starts with our defense. We’re not content just making the postseason.”

Atlanta has indeed already clinched a spot in the playoffs but start a difficult four-game road trip starting with a contest on Tuesday against Phoenix who owns the best record in the WNBA.