The Chicago Sky will look to get back into winning form as they host the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, July 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CDT.
Allie Quigley came off the bench to set new career highs in points (29) and three pointers made (6) in a losing effort against the New York Liberty Friday, as the Sky fell 88-85. Quigley’s four made three pointers in the third quarter also tied the Sky franchise record for three pointers made in a quarter. Jamierra Faulkner contributed a season-high 18 points off the bench, to go along with five assists and three steals. Elena Delle Donne led the Sky’s starting cast with 14 points and seven rebounds. The Liberty were led by Tina Charles and Sugar Rodgers, who accounted for 50 of the Liberty’s 88 points. Charles finished with 29 points and nine rebounds on 9-of-18 shooting. Rodgers connected on 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, pitching in 21 points, four rebounds and four steals.
The Sky lost the first matchup against the Mercury at Talking Stick Resort Arena on June 12 by a score of 86-80. Delle Donne paced the Sky with 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting; she also grabbed six rebounds. Cappie Pondexter contributed 15 points and two assists, passing Lauren Jackson for sixth all-time in points scored, Dawn Staley for 10th all-time in assists in WNBA history and tying Teresa Weatherspoon for ninth all-time in assists. In her second game back from injury, Courtney Vandersloot scored 11 points. The Sky managed to limit the Mercury to 35.3 percent shooting from the field. Diana Taurasi led the Mercury with a game-high 30 points. Off the bench, DeWanna Bonner scored 20 points.
The Mercury is coming off a 78-60 loss at home to the Indiana Fever. Taurasi led the Mercury starters with 13 points, while Kelsey Bone came off the bench to add 13 points and five rebounds. The Fever was able to hold the Mercury to 10 points in both the second and third quarter. Tough defense by the Fever also forced 26 turnovers. The Sky will look to Delle Donne and Co. to turn up the defensive intensity and put a stop to Brittney Griner and Taurasi.
Tip-off between the Sky and Mercury is scheduled for 5 p.m. CDT on Sunday, July 10 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. The Chicago Sky will continue a four-game home stand by playing host to the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, July 13 at 11:30 a.m. CDT. Tickets start as low as $18. Call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit CHICAGOSKY.NET to purchase tickets today.