The Dream put away its pesky losing streak on Sunday against Connecticut, although it did not happen without some drama.
The Dream (7-3) outlasted the Sun 93-87 on Sunday in a back-and-forth game that saw the lead change hands six times over the forty minutes of action. Ultimately, the Dream outscored the Sun 11-7 down the stretch to snap a two-game losing skid while extending its win streak over the Sun (2-8) to four games.
“I thought it was a gutsy win,” Dream head coach Michael Cooper said. “I thought our defense has gotten better, and I thought we were patient on offense and in the execution.”
Elizabeth Williams had one of the best games in her time with the Dream. In the victory, Williams scored 20 points and 10 rebounds, both team-high marks for Atlanta. She also registered five assists, a new career high for the forward.
Williams also created several pivotals plays down the stretch when the outcome remained up in the air, including finding guard Meighan Simmons all alone down the court on a play that put the Dream up five with 31 seconds to go.
“It felt good to find our rhythm today,” Williams said. “It’s something that we’ve talked about and emphasized in practice, getting the ball inside.”
The Williams-to-Simmons connection proved to be the final dagger for a Connecticut team that would not go away. Atlanta had previously built an eight-point lead with a little under eight minutes to go, but Connecticut responded with a 12-5 run that put the pressure on Atlanta. Despite holding the worst record in the WNBA, it was apparent that the Sun weren’t going to simply let the Dream cruise to victory.
The drama in the late goings matched the competitive early start to the contest. The Sun held control for most of the first quarter, building a sizable lead thanks to a 13-2 run midway through the quarter.
Atlanta finally found an offensive rhythm in the final three minutes of the quarter, mounting its own run to cut into Connecticut’s lead. The Sun held a 25-23 lead at the opening period’s end, but it was apparent that Atlanta’s offense had finally been fired up.
After a quiet first quarter, Angel McCoughtry got it going. She filled her normal role as one of the Dream’s most prolific shooters in the second quarter, scoring six points in the period. The WNBA’s leading scorer ended the afternoon with 18 points.
Both teams traded the lead several times, with Atlanta ultimately holding a 46-41 advantage at the half. It was only the third time the Dream have led at halftime this season.
The victory helps the Dream maintain their No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference. It also sets the team back on track as they prepare to play the Chicago Sky on Friday.
“Coach told us in the beginning that this was a must-win for us,” Simmons said. “I think this was something that’s going to help us grow from here on out.”
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