Dream take down Sparks 93-85

Its still early in the WNBA season and games aren't likely to be classified as must-wins just yet. However, Tuesday's 93-85 win for the Atlanta Dream over the Los Angeles Sparks was a much needed confidence booster.

Atlanta used a 14-0 run in the second quarter to build a lead that they would maintain throughout. The Sparks made things interesting late cutting the lead to just a single point with 3:20 left in the game. The Dream outscored Los Angeles 12-3 over the final minutes to pull out the victory.

Atlanta center Erika de Souza has been the one constant for the Dream this season and she didn't disappoint on Tuesday as she tied a career-high with 27 points to go along with 11 rebounds. On the season she is averaging 18.3 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting a ridiculous 68 percent from the field.

Sancho Lyttle had a big game as well finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Atlanta scored 68 of their 93 points in the paint with de Souza and Lyttle leading the way. Angel McCoughtry finished with 14 points and five assists before fouling out late. Shoni Schimmel came off the bench to score nine points and record a team-high seven assists.

Jantel Lavender led the Sparks with 21 points while Nneka Ogwumike added 19. Candace Parker scored 13 of her 15 in the first half but was just 1-7 from the field after the intermission. Armintie Herrington made her first return to Philips Arena since leaving as a free agent over the summer and finished with eight points, four assists and three steals.

The Dream are back in action on Saturday when they host the Chicago Sky at Philips Arena.