Sky Share The Ball, Defeat Mystics 86-78
June 1, 2016 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
WASHINGTON - On Wednesday evening, the Chicago Sky (3-4) returned to action inside the Verizon Center to take on the Washington Mystics (2-5). Unselfish play propelled the Sky past the Mystics 86-78 as point guards Jamierra Faulkner and Courtney Vandersloot combined for 15 assists. Elena Delle Donne paced the Sky with a game-high 18 points to go along with nine rebounds.
The game featured four lead changes and five ties with Chicago opening its largest lead of 15 in the third quarter. In the first half, Cappie Pondexter delivered 10 points while Vandersloot dished out seven assists. Chicago carried a 45- 37 advantage into the locker rom.
"I remember we came in at halftime and we talked about having 15 assists on 20 field goals at the half," said Sky Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman. "And to finish the game with 26 assists on 32 field goals-- that's really sharing the basketball and trusting the pass and each other."
As the ball continued to move in the second half, Delle Donne found her rhythm in the third quarter rattling off eight points in a five-minute period to help the Sky establish a 68-57 lead at the end of the third. Despite shooting just 25 percent from the field in the fourth quarter, Chicago was able to secure the 86-78 victory with defensive stops down the stretch.
"That's how you win games," said Sky point guard Courtney Vandersloot. "You have to be able to make big plays on both ends of the floor."
Vandersloot delivered 10 points and eight assists in her second game back from an ankle injury while fellow point guard, Jamierra Fualkner, turned in nine points and seven assists. Cappie Pondexter and Tamera Young also finished in double figures with 16 points and 10 points, respectively.
The Sky will battle the Mystics again on Friday, June 3 inside Allstate Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT. For more information visit CHICAGOSKY.NET.
Postgame Notes
Chicago Sky 86, Washington Mystics 78
NOTES
- Sky forward Elena Delle Donne led all scorers with 18 points, shooting 5-for-14 from the field, one from three-point range, and 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Guards Cappie Pondexter and Courtney Vandersloot added 16 and 10 points respectively
- The Mystics outscored the Sky in the final quarter 21-18 and brought the game within six points with 1:14 left in the game off of a three-point shot from Latta. The Sky rallied back and controlled the remainder of the game to secure the 86-78 victory
- Sky rookie Imani Boyette continued her solid play recording her second straight game of 15+ minutes and finishing with four points and five rebounds.
- In just her second game back from injury, Courtney Vandersloot had a solid effort finishing with 10 points and eight assists. Vandersloot had a strong first half dishing out seven assists in a period of less than seven minutes of game action.
- The Mystics remain winless at home after returning from a three-game road trip. The Mystics fell to 2-5 in an 86-78 loss to the Chicago Sky. The Mystics and Sky will rematch this Friday in Chicago as the Mystics hit the road for another three-game road trip
- The Mystics have not started the season 0-4 at home since 2006 and prior to that during the 2002 season
- Four Mystics players scored in double figures led by center Stefanie Dolson who scored 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
- Mystics guard Ivory Latta added 11 points coming off the bench, shooting 4-for-9 from the field with 3-of-6 coming from three-point range. Mystics guard Tayler Hill and forward Emma Meesseman added 11 and 10 points respectively
- Mystics center Kia Vaughn pulled down her 1,000th career rebound in tonight's contest, while forward Tierra Ruffin-Pratt tied her career high in assists (6) for the second time this season
QUOTES
Chicago Sky Head Coach & General Manager Pokey Chatman
(On 11 of 12 of her players scoring tonight...)
"I think it's tremendous. It's a compliment to them sharing the basketball. I remember we came in at halftime and we talked about having 15 assists on 20 field goals at the half and to finish the game with 26 assists on 32 field goals-- that's really sharing the basketball and trusting the pass and each other."
(On hosting Washington this Friday...)
"I would love to improve a few areas. I thought from the first half to the second half we did a better job of defending without fouling. There were fewer fouls the second half. So if we can continue that--because they're an aggressive team: they've got some size, they've got some speed, they can put the ball on the floor and they have shooters-- there are a lot of areas we need to clean up, but I'm glad that we're cleaning things up coming off of a win where we shot 49 percent from the field. That was good for us."
Chicago Sky Guard Cappie Pondexter
(On tonight's good win...)
"Yeah it was. We're just kind of building momentum. Every day for us is important. We started 1-4, so we're just trying to get back to .500 and keep the ball rolling."
(On the mental approach with the new schedule...)
"It added little pressure. It's like you have to be perfect every game. Every game is important. We're still adjusting to that schedule as well so we tend not to think about that but it's really important."
Chicago Sky Guard Courtney Vandersloot
(On getting stops...)
"That's how you win games. You have to be able to make big plays on both ends of the floor. I thought Cappie [Pondexter] did that late for us, which was good. Elena [Delle Donne] is a playmaker, we have [Jamierra Faulkner] who made some big plays for us to so that's what it's about. We have people stepping up at the right time."
(On the changes they've made so far this season...)
"I think we got stops at the right time. Defense has been a struggle for us. We're trying to get better at that and it's a main focus for us. I think we held them into the 70's and if we're going to do that we're going to outscore a lot of teams, it's just what we do. If we can hold them into the 70's we have a good chance every game."
Washington Mystics Head Coach Mike Thibault
(Opening Statement...)
"At some point we are going to have to find five people to play at both ends of the court, right now that is a struggle. It is really hard. We are much better on the road mentally then we are at home right now."
(On cutting the lead to five...)
"We make hustle plays but then give it right back. We missed some layups, we don't get some calls, and we hang our head because of it. It is hard to watch."
(Points off turnovers...)
"9-point difference in points off turnovers. Our turnovers weren't huge but the ones we had we threw it right to them. I don't have an answer for those things. We are not consistent about anything."
(On the road for next three...)
"It is disappointing to put on that show, we worked hard to get back into the game but that is a big hill to keep getting over constantly. We play an even first quarter; we were minus the second and third quarter. We hung our hat on defense last year and we do not look like that defensively this year."
Washington Mystics Forward Emma Meesseman
(On her and Dolson offensive contribution...)
"We've played together now for three years so it's automatic for us when we play next to each other. I like to play beside her and she likes to play beside me so it just works well."
(On playing with a lot of different line-ups...)
"It really just depends on what the other team is doing. Chicago has a tall and small line-up so we have to watch them and change our plan to adjust to theirs. It's good that we have a lot of players that can play in a lot of different spots."
(On what is missing towards the end of games...)
"We always start playing well when we are already behind. We have to play from minute one. We have to come in with the focus that we have in the last couple minutes and really make hustle plays and go for the loose balls. We have to be aggressive for the full 40 minutes not just in the last quarter."
Washington Mystics Center Stefanie Dolson
(On what to change for next game...)
"We just have to do a better job on being focused right from the start and keeping our energy up the entire time."
(On playing from behind...)
"It's hard and difficult. You never want to put yourselves in a hole in the first place. However, we know we can fight; we've done it before. We have won two overtime games so we know even if we are behind we can come back. We just didn't get it done tonight."
Washington Mystics Guard Natasha Cloud
(On playing down the stretch...)
"We shouldn't put ourselves in such a hole that we have to come back from down 15. A lot of our games, we are cutting it down to five or six points and we're just not finishing. We are there we just need to get over that hump."
(On three road game stretch ahead...)
"I think that's the best part about our game, there's no need to dwell because we're turning right around and playing the same team on Friday. It's a good thing about our game that we continuously have something to look forward to. So right now we're looking forward to our game Friday in Chicago."
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 1, 2016
- Sky Share The Ball, Defeat Mystics 86-78 - Chicago Sky
- Maggie Lucas to Miss Remainder of 2016 SEASON - Indiana Fever
- Timberwolves & Lynx Basketball Academy Announce 2016 Summer Schedule - Minnesota Lynx
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