Chicago loses 88-77
August 1, 2015 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
ROSEMONT- The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Chicago Sky 88-77 on Friday night in the Sky's first game at Allstate Arena since July 21st. Elena Delle Donne led the Sky with 21 points and Courtney Vandersloot tied a career-high and Sky record with 13 assists. Sparks forward and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker recorded 31 points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles in only her second game of the season. The Sky suffered their first home loss since June 30th and had won five consecutive home games prior to tonight.
The Sky got off to a quick start, beginning the game on an 8-2 run. Parker brought the Sparks back, however, scoring 11 points in the first quarter alone. At the end of the first, the Sparks led the Sky 22-16. Delle Donne paced the Sky with six points.
The Sky fought back in the second quarter, led by two three-pointers off the bench from Allie Quigley and seven more points from Delle Donne. Parker continued to pace Los Angeles, finishing the half with 17 points. The Sky took their first lead of the second quarter with 2:34 remaining on a Vandersloot lay-up. The two teams proceeded to trade baskets in the quarter's remaining minutes. At the half, the Sky and Sparks were tied at 39.
Los Angeles began the third quarter on a 7-2 run but the Sky managed to regain the lead 49-48 on a Cappie Pondexter free throw with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter. The Sky led by as many as five during the third quarter but could not find significant separation as the Sparks cut Chicago's lead to just one point at the end of the third. Going into the final quarter, the Sky led the Sparks 61-60.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Sparks took a 65-64 lead on a free throw by Toliver, their first lead since the middle of the third quarter. The Sparks duo of Parker and Toliver proved to be too much for the Sky as the two combined for 21 points in the fourth quarter and 51 points in the contest. Los Angeles held on to defeat Chicago 88-77.
"It was only on rare occasions that all five of us were connected defensively and that's the biggest thing," said Delle Donne. "If our defense isn't aggressive, our offense lacks, and that's what you saw, especially in the fourth quarter."
Delle Donne's 21 points mark her fourteenth 20+ scoring game of the season. Two other Sky players scored in double-figures as Pondexter added 13 and Jessica Breland scored 10. Vandersloot added eight points to go along with her 13 assists. All five Los Angeles starters scored in double-figures, highlighted by Parker's 31 points and Toliver's 20.
The Sky will return to action on Sunday, August 2nd as they take on the Washington Mystics at 5:00 pm CT in Allstate Arena.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 1, 2015
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- Chicago loses 88-77 - Chicago Sky
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