Dream clamp down in overtime for 73-63 win over Stars

Angel McCoughtry and Layshia Clarendon accounted for seven of the Dream's 12 points in overtime as Atlanta captures their first win of the season 73-63 over the San Antonio Stars.

The Dream led 61-56 with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Kayla McBride cut the lead to just two with a long three-pointer with 33.7 remaining. Angel McCoughtry missed on a contested jump shot with 13 seconds remaining. In the scramble for the loose ball, San Antonio's Alex Montgomery dove to the floor and slapped the ball off of McCoughtry out of bounds to give the Stars a final chance.

Rookie Moriah Jefferson drove baseline and drew the defense and found Jane Appel-Marinelli cutting down the lane for the game tying bucket at the buzzer to force overtime.

Atlanta took back control in the extra session outscoring San Antonio 12-2. Clarendon opened the extra session with a three-point play to put the Dream up 64-61. McBride came back with a bucket to cut the lead to just one before Atlanta would finish the game with a 9-0 run to seal the victory.

McCoughtry led the way for the Dream with 15 points but was just 5 for 14 from the field with five turnovers. Tiffany Hayes added 13 while Clarendon scored nine of her 12 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. McBride led all scorers with 24. Dearica Hamby added 14 for the Stars.

The Dream came into the season looking for an improved defensive effort and they delivered in the opener holding the Stars to just 35 percent shooting for the game. Atlanta forced San Antonio into 20 turnovers and a number of shot clock violations down the stretch.

The Dream will travel to Indiana on Friday for a matchup with the Fever before holding their home opener on Sunday against the Chicago Sky.