Sky lose to Shock
June 6, 2015 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
CHICAGO- On Saturday night, Elena Delle Donne and the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Chicago Sky returned to the court for the second game of the 2015 regular season as they battled the Tulsa Shock at the BOK Center. Despite Tulsa leading by 19 points in the first half, Chicago made a ferocious comeback in the second half to cut Tulsa's lead to 95-90 in the final minute of the fourth quarter thanks to a brilliant performance from Elena Delle Donne.
Delle Donne led all players in the game finishing with a career-high 40 points and nine rebounds while shooting an impressive 13-for-24 from the field and 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Delle Donne and Pondexter combined for 66 of Chicago's 93 points in the game.
"I'd trade a two-point game for a win," said Delle Donne. "We just created way too big of a deficit in the first half, and we just weren't able to overcome that in the second."
Cappie Pondexter scored the first two points of the game to give Chicago its first, and only, lead from the tip. The Sky struggled defensively early on as they gave up 34 first quarter points in a scoring fury led by 14 points from Skylar Diggins.
Despite trailing by as many as 24 points early in the second half, the Sky used a 9-0 run midway through the third quarter to rally within 12 heading into the fourth. Delle Donne ignited the third-quarter comeback with 15 points in less than eight minutes.
In the fourth, the Sky pulled to within five, 95-90, with 1:03 remaining but that is as close as they would get as the Tulsa pulled away with a 101-93 victory.
"When you score 93 points on the road in the second game of the season that should be enough to win," said Sky Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman. "But the problem is this: we gave up 62 in the first half. You dig yourself a hole and that's a big cushion."
Chicago will look to bounce back as they play their next four games on the road, before returning home to Allstate Arena on June 24th to battle the Atlanta Dream at 11:30 am CT. To purchase tickets call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit CHICAGOSKY.NET.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 6, 2015
- Sky lose to Shock - Chicago Sky
- New York Liberty Edged at Washington 67-62 - New York Liberty
- Phoenix Mercury and WNBA President Laurel Richie Surprise "Coach Mia" with Championship Ri - Phoenix Mercury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
