Kahleah Copper stepped up in a big way, using a double-double effort of 23 points and 14 rebounds to help the Chicago Sky beat the host Dallas Wings 89-81 Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.
Copper, who hit two 3-pointers, scored off a layup with 3:27 to play to give Chicago a 79-74 edge in a game that featured nine ties and 10 lead changes.
Chicago’s Emma Meesseman was equally impressive, scoring 23 as well, including nine in the first quarter. She hit a clutch layup with 7:36 left that gave the Sky (19-6) the lead for good at 69-68.
Dallas (11-14) led 65-59 going into the final quarter but couldn’t stop Chicago from winning its fourth consecutive game.
Chicago did not miss from the free-throw line, connecting on all 14 of its attempts. Allie Quigley led the way with a 7-for-7 showing and scored 16 points. Candace Parker added 13.
Chicago was playing without starter Courtney Vandersloot, who is sidelined due to a concussion and could miss multiple games.
Marina Mabrey hit three 3-pointers and led Dallas with 22 points.
Arike Ogunbowale enetered the game averaging 24.5 points per game against the Sky in her career but scored only 15 Saturday. She didn’t score until 2:30 remained in the opening half, splitting two free throws to tie the game at 37.
Ogunbowale then hit a step-back jumper with 47.1 to play in the half to give Dallas a 42-39 edge. The Wings led 42-41 at halftime.
Playing against each other for the first time since a preseason game, Dallas opened hot, surging in front 12-5.
The early deficit didn’t rattle the reigning WNBA champion Sky, and thanks to a strong first quarter by Meesseman, it didn’t last long.
She scored twice off layups and added a putback off a miss to fuel a 15-0 run that pushed Chicago ahead 20-12 with 3:13 left. The Sky led 24-20 after one quarter.
–Field Level Media