Sky in the playoff hunt
August 28, 2009 by Joseph Phillips and Max Rottenstein
With six games left to go in the regular season, the Chicago Sky entered tonight's matchup seven-and-a-half games behind the Detroit Shock for the final playoff spot. With the Sky's 96-77 victory over the New York Liberty they have inched one step closer to making their first ever playoff appearance as they took a bite out of the big apple, feasting on the Eastern Conference cellar dwellers.
Sky Coach Steven Key was, "quite proud that the team was able to build on the defensive momentum from playing bigger teams like LA and Detroit. The team didn't give up too much inside."
Candice Dupree led the Sky offensively with 26 points, shooting 9-of-13 from the field while Kristi Toliver had a season high 25 points, hitting 5-of-8 from behind the three-point line. "It was absolutely a huge boost for us," Said Coach Key.
As for Toliver's playing time going into the end of the season, Coach Key was more cautious saying, "We haven't had a lot of luck running people down and keeping them healthy." Taking a positive approach, Kristi Toliver noted, "I work through the frustration of being competitive by knowing I have great teammates who have my back."
As Sylvia Fowles would sit out her fourth consecutive game in a row, the Sky would miss her presence in the first three periods as the Liberty would have interior motives and outscore the Sky 34-20 in the paint but had a strong fourth quarter showing that included a 10-0 scoring run.
"Anything is possible," said Sky guard Jia Perkins. She added, "We don't want to lose and we don't want to depend on anyone else. We want our fate to be in our own hands so we're going to play real hard."
When asked if she was watching the scoreboard, Perkins' smile broadened as she said, "Yes!"
Sky Coach Steven Key was, "quite proud that the team was able to build on the defensive momentum from playing bigger teams like LA and Detroit. The team didn't give up too much inside."
Candice Dupree led the Sky offensively with 26 points, shooting 9-of-13 from the field while Kristi Toliver had a season high 25 points, hitting 5-of-8 from behind the three-point line. "It was absolutely a huge boost for us," Said Coach Key.
As for Toliver's playing time going into the end of the season, Coach Key was more cautious saying, "We haven't had a lot of luck running people down and keeping them healthy." Taking a positive approach, Kristi Toliver noted, "I work through the frustration of being competitive by knowing I have great teammates who have my back."
As Sylvia Fowles would sit out her fourth consecutive game in a row, the Sky would miss her presence in the first three periods as the Liberty would have interior motives and outscore the Sky 34-20 in the paint but had a strong fourth quarter showing that included a 10-0 scoring run.
"Anything is possible," said Sky guard Jia Perkins. She added, "We don't want to lose and we don't want to depend on anyone else. We want our fate to be in our own hands so we're going to play real hard."
When asked if she was watching the scoreboard, Perkins' smile broadened as she said, "Yes!"
Kristi Toliver breaks through the defense of Liberty forward Essence Carson to make a finger roll layup in the second quarter.
Sky forward Jia Perkins goes for a jump shot in the first quarter.
Liberty forward Tiffany Jackson tries to keep Tamera Young away a rebound in the first quarter.
Sky center Candace Dupree looks to pass while being guard by Liberty forward Cathrine Kraayeveld in the second quarter.
Early in the first quarter, Sky center Candace Dupree eyes an opportunity to score a basket.
Kristi Toliver makes her way through traffic in the second quarter.
Wyckoff gives all and makes the sacrifice
Late in the fourth quarter, Brooke Wyckoff was injured in a collision with Liberty forward Eriana Larkins and was taken off the court.