Sky vs Dream final score: Angel McCoughtry leads Atlanta past Chicago

Angel McCoughtry scored a game-high 21 points as the Atlanta Dream overcame an early 10 point deficit to defeat the Chicago Sky 87-81 in their home opener at Philips Arena.

The Dream got off to a slow start offensively falling behind 11-3 early in the first quarter. Chicago extended the lead to 22-12 before Atlanta finally found a rhythm and began to chip away at the lead. The Dream closed the quarter with a 12-4 run led by reserves Carla Cortijo and Rashandra Gray who accounted for eight of their 10 first quarter bench points. The Sky closed the quarter with a slim 26-24 lead.

The game morphed into a defensive struggle in the second. Sancho Lyttle knocked down a jumper along the baseline to put the Dream up 34-30 with 5:11 remaining in the half. Chicago answered back and finished the half with an 11-3 run to take a 41-37 lead at the half.

Much like the start of the game, it didn't take the Sky long to build a lead. Chicago opened the third with an 11-6 run to go up 52-43. However, the Dream came roaring back behind Cortijo and Angel McCoughtry. Atlanta closed the quarter with a 16-4 run to take a 64-58 lead into the fourth.

The Dream kept the pressure on from there. Ericka de Souza cut the Dream's lead to 84-79 on a free throw with 43 seconds remaining but Tiffany Hayes found Elizabeth Williams under the basket for a bucket to push the lead back to seven and to seal the victory.

McCoughtry scored 10 of her 21 points in the third quarter when Atlanta made their move. She was 6 of 15 from the field but 9 of 12 from the free throw line. Layshia Clarendon added 15 points and eight rebounds while Cortijo finished with 12 points and five assists. Atlanta shot 41 percent from the field and finished with just seven turnovers.

Cappie Pondexter led the Sky with 17 points while Elena Delle Donne added 16. Delle Donne went 5 for 13 from the field but attempted just three shots in the second half. The Sky shot just 38 percent from the field and clearly missed point guard Courtney Vandersloot who sat out the game due to an ankle injury.

The Dream head back out on the road for a Tuesday matchup against the New York Liberty.