Dream try to snap their 4-game losing streak as they come to tip-off in the Gateway Arena in Atlanta. Dreams find their groove 85-70. Aari McDonald takes charge as the captain of floor for the Dream tonight in the stead of injured guard, Erica Wheeler. Rookie star, Rhyne Howard goes full throttle with a huge 1st quarter as she brings the pressure on the Dallas Wings. Howard had back to back scoring drives working both ends of the court. The Dream take the lead in the 1st, 20-10 with 3:27 left in the quarter. Howard feels it through out this quarter with the help from her teammate (AD) Asia Durr burying a three towards the end, 27-21. Maya Caldwell comes out strong at the beginning of the 2nd. However, Rhyne Howard brings her guns out and nail a three from the downtown bringing Atlanta ‘s lead to 39-26. The Dream are trying to keep their head above the turbulence after the struggle they had on the road without their key players who are on the injury list; Nia Coffey, Kristy Wallace, Erica Wheeler, and Kia Vaughn. At the end of this half, Cheyenne Parker comes up big with a shot from the perimeter which brings the Atlanta Dream leading 48-40.
Cheyenne Parker rages out in the 3rd quarter with a kiss off the glass to keep Atlanta’s lead going 53-42. Dream’s Coach Wright’s key to her team gaining the win is totally on Cheyenne Parker getting her team’s momentum to stay afloat. The Dallas Wings started showing their driving performance in the 3rd. They didn’t just lie down and succumb. Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale gave her opponents a fight through out the game and finished with 14 points. Wings star forward Allisha Gray help contribute 18 points as Dallas’s lead scorer. Atlanta is dependent on Cheyenne Parker and Maya Caldwell, as they remained dominant in the 3rd. Wings guard Marina Mabrey nails a two, as the Dream’s lead is cut to only 2 points (68-66). At the beginning of the 4th, Atlanta knew they had to kick start their game a notch to stop the Wings’ drive. Dreams’ Parker gets a friendly bounce in the basket to bring their lead back to 4. Wings were outscoring Atlanta 30-24 in the paint. The Dream maintained to hold on to the lead as Aari McDonald continued to take charge through out the 4th. Dreams find their groove 85-70 win, Atlanta picks up win #8. The Dream had 4 players in double figures; Caldwell 18 pts, Howard 16 pts, McDonald 15 pts, and Parker 14 pts.
