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Chicago Sky

Sky Topped by Connecticut in Preseason Game

May 5, 2016 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


UNCASVILLE - On Wednesday night the Chicago Sky took the court for their second preseason game of the year as they hosted the Connecticut Sun inside Mohegan Sun Arena. In a game that went down to the final seconds, the Sky fell to the Sun 84-81. Chicago was paced by Elena Delle Donne with 13 points and Betnijah Laney with 12 points off the bench.

"It obviously wasn't the outcome we wanted," said Laney. "We started out by having a few turnovers and we weren't as aggressive as they were, but we picked that up in the second half and tried to comeback."

Despite jumping out to an early 4-0 lead to start the game, Chicago struggled defensively throughout the first quarter and Connecticut caught fire on the offensive end. The Sun connected on five three pointers to gain a 26-19 advantage by the end the first quarter.

After trailing by as many as 14 points in the second quarter, the Sky decreased its deficit to six by the end of the first half as Delle Donne and Pondexter combined for 12 points. Chicago remained within 10 points of Connecticut for the remainder of the game, although never regaining the lead. Throughout the game, Chatman limited the minutes of her starting five in an effort to look at the final roster spots but defense proved to be an issue across the board.

"The bottom line was at this point, it doesn't matter who's out there on the court," said Sky Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman. "There are specific things that we're looking for on the defensive end of the floor. You give up 49 points in the first half, 35 in the second [half] - that's a mentality."

The Sky pulled to within one point (77-76) with 1:08 left in the game but allowed Jasmine Thomas to score on the ensuing possession to stretch the lead back to three. After trading free throws, the Sky had the ball trailing by three points with 4.5 seconds remaining on the clock but turned the ball over on the inbounds play and Connecticut escaped with its first preseason win of the season.

"I don't think we got better today, and that's okay because it is still early," said Chatman. "We'll see how we bounce back tomorrow, and if we can do some of those specific things that we're looking for."

Chicago will look to tune up their defense as they round out preseason play with a game on Thursday night against the Atlanta Dream at 4:00 p.m. CT at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The team's roster will be finalized to 12 prior to the Sky opening its 10th season at Allstate Arena on May 14th against the Connecticut Sun. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT. To purchase tickets call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit CHICAGOSKY.NET.

Postgame Notes

Chicago Sky 81, Connecticut Sun 84

NOTES

- Elena Delle Donne continued her hot shooting for the Sky following up a 17-point outing on 7-for-8 shooting against the Liberty (5/1) with 13 points in tonight's game while going 5-for-5 from the field. She is now shooting .92% in preseason play.

- Sky veterans Cappie Pondexter and Erika De Souza both made their preseason debuts in tonight's game. Pondexter poured in 10 points, while De Souza added 5 points and 5 rebounds.

- After trailing by as many as 14 points in the second quarter, the Sky decreased its deficit to six by the end of the first half with Delle Donne and Pondexter's combined 12 points. Chicago remained within 10 points of Connecticut for the remainder of the game, although never regaining the lead.

- Chicago's bench accounted for more than half of the Sky's total points. Betnijah Laney led off the bench with 12 points and four rebounds while Jamierra Faulkner and Shanece McKinney added eight points each.

- Four of Connecticut's starters scored in double figures: Kelsey Bone (15), Alex Bentley (14), Alyssa Thomas (11) and Jasmine Thomas (10).

- Connecticut's Jonquel Jones scored eight points off the bench in her preseason debut. The rookie shot 60 percent from the field and 67 percent from the three-point line.

- The Sky and Sun will meet each other again in the regular season opener on May 14th at Allstate Arena.

QUOTES

Chicago Sky Head Coach & General Manager Pokey Chatman

(On the goal heading into tonight's game...)

"I think we were able to play a lot of people, get some quality minutes in for several players. I think that the difference was that we played against a squad that has as close to a complete full roster together, but still we were able to get a look at some people and see how they meshed with the group. We kept minutes down for some of that core group but tomorrow everybody will play more minutes together.

(On defensive lapses...)

"The bottom line was at this point, it doesn't matter who's out there on the court. There are specific things that we're looking for on the defensive end of the floor. You give up 49 points in the first half, 35 in the second - that's a mentality. That has nothing to do with Connecticut, because what they did in the first half worked. We're going to move forward. I don't think we got better today, and that's okay because it is still early. We'll see how we bounce back tomorrow, and if we can do some of those specific things that we're looking for.

(On what it meant to play a close game...)

"It was nice to have, for some of those players that aren't in the game at those times, to see how they can execute down the stretch on both ends...There's a game within a game that you're trying to win, in preseason. Don't misunderstand that. And so we had some good moments for me."

(On the number of uncontested shots allowed...)

"They've got Bone out there who can shoot threes all day, and I can probably make them if I'm that wide open. To be successful it starts with our leadership from the core group. It starts with Vandersloot, Cappie, those players... I say all that, and we were within one possession to win with some of those backup players. I credit Connecticut; don't misunderstand that. I credit them because there's a lot of people that can be open and they don't always make the shot. So, I give them credit for knocking down those open looks."

Chicago Sky Guard Betnijah Laney

(On the Sky's first quarter struggles and the game overall...)

"It obviously wasn't the outcome we wanted. We started out by having a few turnovers and we weren't as aggressive as they were, but we picked that up in the second half and tried to comeback."

(On what the team needs to improve before the start of the regular season...)

"Just making sure we demonstrate what we do in practice. We need to put it all on the floor and have everybody contribute. Hopefully we can pick up a win tomorrow and head into the regular season with momentum."

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