Late Rally Falls Short as Dream Lose Preseason Finale
Elizabeth Williams registers double-double in defeat
By Troy Jenkins
ATLANTA, Ga. (May 10, 2016) – The Atlanta Dream saw four players reach double-figures in a 69-63 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks in its final preseason game Tuesday evening at McCamish Pavilion on the campus of Georgia Tech.
Though the Dream got off to a tough start with 16 first-half turnovers (11 in the second quarter), they were able to piece together a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter and took a late lead at 63-62 with 2:06 left in regulation. The Sparks responded by scoring the game’s final eight points to seal the victory.
The Atlanta Dream got out to a solid start. Tiffany Hayes set the tone by getting to the basket and scoring six of the first eight points of the game for Atlanta. The Dream scored 17 combined points from the paint and the free throw line en route to a 21-16 lead after the first quarter.
Things took a turn for the worst in the second quarter as the Dream were outscored 22-9. A combination of turnovers (11 in the quarter) and cold shooting put them down eight points going into the half (38-30).
In the second half, the Dream were able to cut their turnover numbers and moved the ball better offensively in the third. The Dream’s comeback bid began in the fourth with a 10-0 run capped off by a Bria Holmes layup with 2:06 left in the game. This marked the first lead for the Dream since the 4:14 mark in the second quarter.
Candace Parker led the way for the Sparks with 10 points and six rebounds. Essence Carson also contributed 10 points, while Eugeniya Belyakova chipped in 10 points off the bench.
Elizabeth Williams registered her first double-double in her Atlanta Dream career by tallying 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Hayes added 10 points and four rebounds. Meighan Simmons and Rachel Hollivay provided a spark off the bench with 10 points each.
The Dream will tip off the WNBA regular season this Saturday on the road against the San Antonio Stars at 8 p.m. ET.
The home opener is slated for Sunday, May 22 in a 3 p.m. ET tip at Philips Arena against reigning WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne and the Chicago Sky.