Angel McCoughtry leads as Atlanta Dream beat Los Angeles Sparks, 89-80 – WNBA Recap
At Philips Arena, Angel McCoughtry recorded a double-double with a game high 22 points and 11 rebounds as Atlanta Dream defeated Los Angeles Sparks 89-80 on Thursday night enroute to their fifth consecutive win. Dream is now just
a victory away from knocking out Chicago Sky from fourth position in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, it was the fourth straight loss for the Sparks.
McCoughtry, who is averaging 18.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game so far in this season, also added seven assists and a block. The 24-year-old forward went scoreless in the opening period, but controlled the situation right on
time, scoring 10 of her points in the second quarter.
"We are feeling good about ourselves and we want to keep this going," McCoughtry said. "We want to make the playoffs, and that is where the momentum is coming from right now.
Armintie Price scored 14 points, shooting 7 for 10 from the field, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists in the victory. Iziane Castro Marques came off the bench with 13 points while guard Lindsey Harding totalled
10 points and six rebounds for Dream, who have won six of their previous ten games.
Ebony Hoffman led Los Angeles with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Kristi Toliver posted 15 points while Jenna O'Hea had 14 points for Sparks, who have lost four of their previous six games. Ticha Penicheiro registered
a double-double with a game best 11 assists and 10 points in the losing effort. Tina Thompson also scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Sparks.
Atlanta shot 46.1 percent (35 for 76) from the field while Los Angeles shot 44.9 percent (31 for 69). However, Sparks’ shooting from throw line was perfect as they pinned 13 of 13 free throws.
Toliver racked up seven of her points in the first quarter as Los Angeles carried a 19-16 lead into the second. Atlanta made a come back in the second period and tied the game at 39-39 with 02:08 to go in the first half. Hoffman
then responded with jumper to put the Sparks ahead by two. However, Dream scored six consecutive points in the closing minutes of the quarter, taking a four-point lead into the locker room.
Atlanta held a 59-51 lead with 01:38 left in the third quarter before Los Angeles went on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to three, 59-56, heading into the fourth.
Dream stretched their lead to 65-60 early in the fourth quarter and never trailed for rest of the period.
Sparks guard Ticha Penicheiro said at the end of defeat, "We played better, but it still was not enough," "We still have to figure out a way to win basketball games.
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