The Philips Arena game clock could not tick fast enough.

The Dream had a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.

Mikki K. Harris/AJG (ENLARGE)

rom left, Atlanta Dream's Tamera Young brings the ball in against New York Liberty's Essence Carson during their game at Philips Arena.

Their defense was holding up and shots were falling.

All that was left was for them to be firm down the stretch, grab a rebound or two and earn their first victory in the WNBA.

The celebration was put on hold as the New York Liberty mounted a rally and snatched away an 81-77 victory on Wednesday before 5,936 fans.

"We didn't close it out," Dream coach Marynell Meadors said. "All that goes back to a confidence level that we don't have right now. I think once we win a game or two, things are going to change for this team."

The Dream had a 12-point lead, 66-54, with 7:07 left to play before things unraveled quickly.

Cathrine Kraayeveld made two three-pointers, and Erin Thorn had one in a 20-8 run as the Liberty tied the game 74-74 with 1:19 left.

After the Dream's Katie Feenstra was called for traveling, New York's Essence Carson made a jump shot to give the Liberty the lead with 56.6 seconds left.

Janel McCarville led the Liberty with 25 points. Kraayeveld added 15 points, and Shameka Christon had 14.

The Dream was led by Betty Lennox, who finished with 28. Ivory Latta and rookie Tamera Young added 13 points each.

But the Dream lost the game in the rebounding department. They were out-rebounded on the offensive glass 15-8 and 32-26 overall.

"We've got to tell our people to get in there and box people out," Latta said. "That's just plain and simple. Rebounding is heart. You cannot teach rebounding. You have to get after that ball."

The Dream are playing without their leading rebounder, Erica De Souza, who suffered a fractured foot. She got of her crutches on Wednesday and is wearing a walking boot. She could be back in another two weeks.

"What we are doing too much of is watching the ball," Lennox said. "We have to block out our person. Hold our spot and go get the ball."

New York improved to 4-4. The Dream dropped to 0-8.

"It just flashed before our eyes," Latta said. "That turnaround in the last five minutes, I really can't explain it right now. I don't think it hit me yet.

"I think it will hit me when I get home and realize that we let another game slip away."

Despite several unforced turnovers, the Dream held a 36-35 lead at halftime.

New York opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run to take a 46-38 lead.

The Dream, appearing to be fed up with the losing, responded by showing some fortitude. They mixed in a 2-3 zone defense to befuddle the Liberty, and Lennox got hot on offense.

The Dream went on a 17-3 run and held a 55-49 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Feenstra opened the fourth with a jumpshot, and Latta added a three-pointer to push the lead to 60-49 with 9:07 left. The Dream and their faithful could sense the team's first victory.

"The only thing I can tell you is they got so many offensive rebounds," Meadors said. "We were on defense a lot. You can't give up that many offensive rebounds."