By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor
After earning a win over the best team in the WNBA on Wednesday, the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Dream came into Friday’s contest hoping to continue its positive momentum in a home contest against the Tulsa Shock. The Dream fulfilled its goal with a dominating 92-76 victory over the Shock at Philips Arena.
Center Erika de Souza had a team-high 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Dream. It was her ninth double-double for of the season. Sancho Lyttle and Anika Henry each earned starts in the forward positions and both scored in double-figures with 17 points and 10 points respectively. Henry also grabbed 12 rebounds for a double-double.
After going scoreless in the first half, Tulsa’s Skylar Diggins finished the contest with a game-high 24 points while fellow backcourt mate Odyssey Sims had 23. Courtney Paris had 12 rebounds for the Shock.
“I liked our energy to start the game and did a good job defensively,” said Dream head coach Michael Cooper. “We limited their shooters and contained Diggins and Sims in the first half. Our bigs contested shots and that allowed us to get rebounds and run.”
Atlanta took a 23-19 lead into the second quarter. The Shock only shot 29% from the field in the first quarter, making four field goal attempts. However, Tulsa did make 10 of 12 free-throw attempts to stay within striking distance.
Atlanta continued its strong defensive play, outscoring the Shock 24-6 in the second quarter and took a 47-25 lead into halftime.
“We’re playing together knowing that the playoffs are coming and having fun,” said de Souza. “
At the break, Sims had a team-high eight points for the Shock while Paris secured a team-high seven rebounds. Diggins went scoreless in the first half, missing all six field goal attempts. The entire Shock team struggled hitting baskets through the first two quarters, shooting only 18.9 percent from the floor, making only seven total fields goals and going 1-10 on three-pointer attempts. Tulsa finished the game shooting 33.8 percent in the game, the lowest a Dream opponent has shot this season.
“When we play good defense, it allows us to go out in transition and play like we did in the first half,” said Cooper.
Lyttle had a game-high 14 points at halftime for the Dream while Henry grabbed 12 rebounds through the first two quarters.
After struggling with a five-game losing streak to start August, Atlanta has rebounded with a home victory over Phoenix on Wednesday and tonight’s triumph over Tulsa. The Dream conclude the regular season this Sunday at Connecticut before beginning the playoffs late next week.
The Sports Inquirer 
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