Dream bounce back with 87-73 win over Sun

The Atlanta Dream inched closer to securing a playoff spot with an 87-73 win over the Connecticut Sun Sunday at Philips Arena. Atlanta led for all but 23 seconds in the game thanks to a balanced offensive attack and a good defensive effort.

“Overall, a great win for us after coming off of a tough game in Chicago,” head coach Michael Cooper told reporters following the game. “A lot of the things that we did to get ourselves beat in Chicago we didn’t do tonight’s game. I was very and proud and honored that the ladies played this well.”

Atlanta actually turned the ball over two more times in Sunday’s game than in Friday’s loss in Chicago but they were able to limit the damage to just 16 points. Connecticut still came up with 19 second-chance points but the Dream were able to offset that with 18 of their own.

Four different Atlanta players finished in double figures scoring. Angel McCoughtry and Layshia Clarendon scored 19 points each while Tiffany Hayes added 17. Elizabeth Williams chipped in 16 and a game-high nine rebounds. Chiney Ogwumike led all scorers with 24.

The Dream improve to 14-13 on the season and hold on to the fourth spot in the WNBA standings. Atlanta currently holds a half game lead over Chicago and are one game up on Indiana.