Sky prepared for the moment.
The Chicago Sky played the Las Vegas Aces at the Wintrust Arena on June 3, and they came back from a 15-point deficit to win the game 95-90.
General Manager and Head Coach Amber Stocks said, “it was a very offensive minded game with 95 points for us and 90 for the opponent. We really ducked down and played together. We were able to focus on minimizing our turnovers and rebounding the basketball. We did an outstanding job in those two areas. And then on top of that, just the way that this team played together, they were passionate for each other.”
The third quarter is where the Sky took the lead, outscoring the Aces 28 to 16. Stocks said that the preparation the team does in practice manifested itself in the game. “I would say what really manifested itself today, what you saw on the court, was a byproduct of what the players have been doing in practice. For Cheyenne Parker to come in, and not just because she’s sitting here, 30 minutes. She’s really worked on her conditioning, and she’s put in a lot of extra time without me, just in the gym with the assistants or with Ann Crosby, our strength and conditioning coach. She’s put in the time to work on her conditioning, and then you see her out on the court, so I learn about the productivity of what they’re doing to prepare themselves for the moment. It’s not the moment. It’s the preparation you put in before the moment that allows you to seize the opportunity of the moment,” Stocks said.
Forward Diamond DeShields scored a season-high 25 points, and was named player of the game. Forward Cheyenne Parker, guard Courtney Vandersloot, and guard Jamierra Faulkner also scored in double-digits for the Sky.
Las Vegas Aces Starting forward Nia Coffey was injured in the first half, and did not enter the game in the second half. The Aces bench contributed 42 points and 17 rebounds, but it was ultimately not enough to secure the win.
After this game, the Chicago Sky advances to 3-3 for the season, while the Aces fall to 1-5. The Sky will take this win at home as they move on to play a string of away games. The Aces will return home to face the Atlanta Dream.