By Shamica Gibson
The Atlanta Dream improved to 4-1 after defeating the San Antonio Stars, 77-70 Wednesday afternoon in the first of their two Kids Day games this season. After falling to an early first half 10-point deficit, the Dream entered halftime trailing by just three points to the visitors.
Led by forward Sancho Lyttle’s 10-point second half, the Dream outscored the Stars 41-31 in the final two quarters of play. Lyttle, who entered her thirteenth WNBA season this year, tallied a season-high 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
“Everybody knows I’m up there in age,” Lyttle said. “But once I step between the lines I’m going to give all my effort.”
Four Dream players scored in double figures for the game, including Tiffany Hayes who finished with a game-high 15 points. As sharing the ball continues to be a theme throughout the season, the Dream continue to add to their assist totals. Led by Layshia Clarendon’s nine assists, the team dished out a total of 18 assist during Wednesday’s matchup. The team has already increased their assist average from last season, improving to nearly 18 assists per game from just 15 per contest last season.
According to Atlanta Dream head coach Michael Cooper, “When we play team basketball, we’re hard to beat.”
Despite a late-game scoring effort, including a three-point field goal by Kelsey Plum that trimmed Atlanta’s lead to four points with just over a minute remaining in the contest, San Antonio was unable to outlast the tenacity of its opponent. The Stars were led by Monique Currie and Dearica Hamby, who were the only two players for the team to scored in double figures, combing for a total of 27 points.
After falling to a record of 0-6, the Stars are still in search of their first win of the season.
“I think we’re right there. It’s tough because this league is really competitive,” said Plum. “We haven’t had a ton of time to gel like other teams have.”
Four-year guard Kayla McBride insisted that the team will remain confident. According to McBride, the team must “win on their home court.” The Stars will soon have that opportunity, as their next game will be a matchup in San Antonio’s AT & T Center against the Connecticut Sun.
The Dream’s next match will take place in Washington D.C., where the Dream will kick off their five-game road trip against the Mystics on Sunday, June 4. Sunday’s competition will be the first of the season between the Dream and the Mystics. The two teams squared-off three times last season; the Mystics took the season series 2-1.
The Dream will return home to McCamish Pavilion on Friday, June 23. Get your tickets for the team’s annual Pride Night by clicking here.