The Dream, facing Seattle for the first time since getting swept in last year's WNBA Finals, fared much better this time, beating the Storm 70-53 Sunday at Philips Arena.
The Dream (9-11), breaking a two-game losing streak, led by as many as 21, capitalizing on sloppy play uncharacteristic of the Storm (12-9). Seattle committed 29 turnovers, tying the league high this season. The Storm shot just 38 percent from the field.
“I just thought our team came out ready to play and played as great a defense as I’ve seen us play,” coach Marynell Meadors said.
Angel McCoughtry topped Atlanta with 17 points and teammate Erika de Souza added 13. Swin Cash topped the Storm with 16 points.
“I thought that it was a great team win, and I thought that everybody made some valuable contributions,” Meadors said. “I thought that the players that had to make stops on defense, did.”
For much of the game, Lindsey Harding was matched up against Seattle’s Sue Bird, who entered Sunday's game averaging a team-high 15.9 points per game. Bird was held to two points.
The Dream jumped out to an early first-quarter lead and extended it to 34-22 by halftime.
“We wanted to be the ones to punch first and have them play catch-up,” Harding said.
The Dream's Armintie Price chipped in eight first-half points, but twisted her ankle in the final minute of the second quarter and had to be carried off the court. She received an X-ray at halftime and did not return. Coco Miller stepped up in Price’s absence, scoring 10 points.
The game also marked the return of Sancho Lyttle to Atlanta’s starting lineup, out since June 14 after playing in Europe and injuring her back. Lyttle played 25 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing seven rebounds.
“I’m about 95 [percent],” Lyttle said. “I’m getting there every day.”
McCoughtry also returned to the starting lineup after spending two games in a reserve role. She averaged 30 points in those contests last week, both losses.
The Dream opens a four-game road trip on Tuesday night at Washington.
