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Atlanta is wanting to come out of their 2-game losing streak tonight. However, Chicago secure win in OT. The Dream start out strong wanting to get Rhyne Howard off to a swift beginning. She starts off with 5 points on the board early in the 1st. Dream guard Aari McDonald is going straight through the paint with an “And 1”. McDonald who is taking the place of the injured Erica Wheeler. Asia Durr (AD) contributing to the Dream lead. Noting, Chicago Sky is without their star player, Candace Parker who had an injury to the knee last game. Azura Stevens is in her stead for tonight’s game. Chicago is already locking in on a scoring drive with Rebecca Gardner leading the way with 5 points. (Sky leads 23-19) Dreams Aari McDonald hits a three with 9 seconds in the quarter which gives Atlanta the lead – shooting 80% in the quarter. (26-23)
Things turn around for worse for Atlanta when Rhyne Howard gets in early foul trouble (3) in the beginning of the 2nd with only 5 points. She’s benched for majority of the quarter. Cheyenne Parker takes charge with 6points in the half. Chicago Sky’s Kahleah Copper answers back with a scoring drive to bring her team to a 46-38 lead towards the end of the 2nd; she contributes 10 points. Gardner buries a three with 1:48 before the half. Gardner is 5-5 from the field with 12 points.
Going into the 3rd quarter, Chicago is shooting 56% from the first half. Azura Stevens is already in double figures. Atlanta starts to play with a sense of urgency as Aari McDonald nails a three late in the 3rd to bring the Dream within 5 points. The score is 73-68. Dream’s Destiny Slocum coming to Atlanta on a hardship contract early this week, gets in the Dream’s awakening with 10 points. Atlanta is outscoring the Sky bringing the lead now 79-73. We have a ball game now! AD is creative to the bucket with two quick scores to bring the Dreams within 3 points. Atlanta is showing some spark in the 4th quarter of this Commissioner’s Cup game. Cheyenne Parker is fouled going to the line. She makes both free throws, Dream take the first lead of the game 91-90. Sky’s Copper is then fouled and misses 1 of 2 free throws. Time runs out and we have overtime. Chicago is 0-1 in overtime games for the season. Sky’s Copper comes out with a quick open-look on a three. Copper has 22 points for the game. Azura Stevens sets the nail in the coffin with a huge three to bring Chicago lead to 104-99. Sky’s hold on and escape with a win 106-100. Chicago secure win in OT! Atlanta Dreams lead scorers were McDonald and AD combining 41 points for the night.
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