Sky at Stars Saturday, June 10, 2017
The Chicago Sky (1 – 7) look to get back in the winning column Saturday, June 10 as the team travels to the Lone Star State to take on the San Antonio Stars (0 – 8) at 7:00 CDT. This will be the first of three matchups between the cross-conference foes.
The Sky are fresh off a close loss to the reigning WNBA Champions, the Los Angeles Sparks. On Tuesday, Chicago only trailed by three points going into the fourth quarter at the Staples Center. However, the power of forward Nneka Ogwumike’s first double-double of the season (20 points, 11 rebounds) was enough to push the Sparks over the Sky by a score of 79 – 70. Courtney Vandersloot contributed 13 points and six rebounds, while Allie Quigley and Stefanie Dolson added to the scoring with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Los Angeles controlled the defensive game by forcing 19 Chicago turnovers, compared to only seven on its own end, and by stealing the ball 13 times.
After drafting guard Kelsey Plum with the first pick of the 2017 WNBA draft, the San Antonio Stars have looked to find their identity with new personnel. The Stars lost at home Tuesday to the Seattle Storm, 85 – 76. Guard Kayla McBride led San Antonio in scoring for the fifth time this year with 21 points, while also adding six rebounds. Guard Moriah Jefferson provided 10 points and five assists in the loss. Jefferson currently leads the Stars in assists with 4.2 per game, while McBride heads the team with 17.3 points per game.
The Sky won the series matchup 2 – 1 in 2016. After a 79 – 78 loss May 27, 2016, the Sky would bounce back to win the next two battles 81 – 75 and 97 – 73. The win on June 21 broke a three-game losing streak for the Sky. The Stars current starting forward Erika de Souza spent her last season with the Sky. In 2016, de Souza started 18 of 31 games for the Sky, contributing a total of 181 points, 161 rebounds, and 516 minutes played.
Second-year center Imani Boyette will be returning to her former homeland in the travel down south. The 2016 first-round Sky draft pick was the first woman with 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 200 blocks at the University of Texas. Her brother, JaVale McGee, is currently competing in the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 3 – 0 in the Finals.
The Sky – Stars battle tips off at 7:00 CDT Saturday, June 10 at the AT&T Center in Texas. The Sky will then continue its road travel to Phoenix to take on the Mercury Friday, June 16. Chicago returns home Sunday, June 18 to host former Sky head coach Pokey Chatman and the Indiana Fever.
Tickets start as low as $18. Call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit CHICAGOSKY.NET to purchase tickets today. You can also watch the Sky on The U Too or WNBA League Pass. For live updates, download the Sky mobile app from the App Store or on Google Play.