With 11 games into our first season in the WNBA we stand with a lonely win. However, the last two home games against Seattle and San Antonio brought out a new level of play in our athletes that arent reflected in the win-loss column.
Against Seattle, we started out with a narrow first period lead, but at the half our teams were locked up with 27 points each. In our first half of play against the Storm, our defense was strong and our baskets were falling. The second half we faced more of a challenge and could not keep things rolling in our favor as we dropped down 11 points. We saw many improvements in our ball movement and some improvements on our defense, but our intensity is inconsistent. Stacey Lovelace brought 15 points to our side of the scoreboard as Candice Dupree added 12 points and 12 rebounds for her first career WNBA double-double performance. Jia Perkins posted the game high in assists again with 7.
On Saturday, the atmosphere in the UIC Pavilion was amazing with the people coming out to support our team making lots of noise. There was a different aura as we stepped onto the court with fans eager to see what the Chicago Sky would bring to the court in their first game of the season versus the San Antonio Silver Stars. The performance our athletes put on that night is probably one that stands out over any so far. We found something inside that kept us fighting through a large deficit after halftime. This game demonstrated our improvements and our determination despite what our record shows. Jia Perkins was outstanding as she put up a double double with a game high 21 points and a game high 10 rebounds, not leaving out her 9-10 free throw shooting. As a team we pulled down a season high 41 rebounds. Dupree and Lovelace added 11 points with Lovelace's coming in just under 12 minutes of play. Our intensity was much improved thanks to a stand out performance by Brooke Wyckoff who pulled down 9 rebounds; she came ready to play Saturday and it definitely showed on the court. The return of Chelsea Newton from a knee injury added to our intensity as she stole the ball 6 times, many of them coming at key moments in the game that we failed to capitalize on.
Deanna Jackson, Elaine Powell, and Stacey Dales did not play due to injuries. The Sky face Indianas on the 21st, and will return for another battle at the UIC Pavilion on Friday the 23rd at 7:30 pm. against Connecticut where we will have our work cut out for us as we face 72 Margo Dydek, the tallest player in the league.
Ready. Set. Soar.
