Sky moonwalk to their 4th straight home victory
June 27, 2009 by Joseph Phillips Editor-in-Chief of SC News Media
It was Michael Jackson night at the Pavilion, as the Sky would honor the death of the 'King of pop," with a 68-63 thriller over the Washington Mystics.
"Are job is to take care of our home court."
Said Sylvia Fowles who finished with a game high 10 rebounds.
"Coach (Key) told us that if we take care of our business at home; we will be in good position at the end of the season."
Sky coach Steven Key mentioned after the game that he's encouraged his players from day 1 to,
"Protect their home court, win all their games and that makes 17 wins." Key said.
Early in the first quarter, the Sky jumped out to an 6-0 lead but was countered by the hot-shooting hand of WNBA Player of the week Alana Beard, who'd finish the night second on her team in scoring with 14 points. Beard would catapult the Mystics to an 11-0 run to end the quarter. Giving the Mystics a 15-8 lead.
"In the first quarter we definitely weren't taking care of the ball," Key said.
"We turned it over quite a few times."
After falling behind briefly, The Sky would rebound in the second half with a surge of their own, thanks to the superb play of forward Candice Dupree who would explode for a game high 23 points, seven rebounds on 9-of-18 shooting.
"Candice Dupree really stepped up." said Mystics coach Julie Plank.
"I thought we did a nice job on her last game. I thought they hurt us down the stretch on the boards. Their zone was effective down the stretch against us."
"I think a lot of us have more baskets going towards the rim then are actually dropping." said Candice Dupree on her hot shooting from the field.
"So at that point we just have to attack and keep driving the lane, and not give up," said Dupree.
"Eventually they are going to drop, and they did for us towards the end of the game."
While Dupree handled things on the offensive end, Jia Perkins would have a phenomenal night on the defensive end, recording a record breaking eight steals off the Mystics guards.
"Last game we played against them, Alana (Beard) scored 30 points on me. I had a bad defensive game." Perkins said.
"I wanted to show them that defense is also a big part of my game."
After a see saw battle through out the fourth quarter, the Sky would smoothly moonwalk to victory bringing the crowd to their feet the same way Michael did at Motown 25.
Final score Sky 68, Mystics 63. The Sky Improved their home record to 4-0 on the season, jumping out to their best home start in team history while earning a 5-3 record overall.
In addition to last night's game, for the third consecutive year in a row, the Women’s National Basketball Association has joined forces with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign to increase awareness of heart disease and encourage women to take action to reduce their personal risk. The WNBA’s Go Red For Women Week will take place from Sunday, June 21 to Tuesday, June 30.
"Are job is to take care of our home court."
Said Sylvia Fowles who finished with a game high 10 rebounds.
"Coach (Key) told us that if we take care of our business at home; we will be in good position at the end of the season."
Sky coach Steven Key mentioned after the game that he's encouraged his players from day 1 to,
"Protect their home court, win all their games and that makes 17 wins." Key said.
Early in the first quarter, the Sky jumped out to an 6-0 lead but was countered by the hot-shooting hand of WNBA Player of the week Alana Beard, who'd finish the night second on her team in scoring with 14 points. Beard would catapult the Mystics to an 11-0 run to end the quarter. Giving the Mystics a 15-8 lead.
"In the first quarter we definitely weren't taking care of the ball," Key said.
"We turned it over quite a few times."
After falling behind briefly, The Sky would rebound in the second half with a surge of their own, thanks to the superb play of forward Candice Dupree who would explode for a game high 23 points, seven rebounds on 9-of-18 shooting.
"Candice Dupree really stepped up." said Mystics coach Julie Plank.
"I thought we did a nice job on her last game. I thought they hurt us down the stretch on the boards. Their zone was effective down the stretch against us."
"I think a lot of us have more baskets going towards the rim then are actually dropping." said Candice Dupree on her hot shooting from the field.
"So at that point we just have to attack and keep driving the lane, and not give up," said Dupree.
"Eventually they are going to drop, and they did for us towards the end of the game."
While Dupree handled things on the offensive end, Jia Perkins would have a phenomenal night on the defensive end, recording a record breaking eight steals off the Mystics guards.
"Last game we played against them, Alana (Beard) scored 30 points on me. I had a bad defensive game." Perkins said.
"I wanted to show them that defense is also a big part of my game."
After a see saw battle through out the fourth quarter, the Sky would smoothly moonwalk to victory bringing the crowd to their feet the same way Michael did at Motown 25.
Final score Sky 68, Mystics 63. The Sky Improved their home record to 4-0 on the season, jumping out to their best home start in team history while earning a 5-3 record overall.
In addition to last night's game, for the third consecutive year in a row, the Women’s National Basketball Association has joined forces with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign to increase awareness of heart disease and encourage women to take action to reduce their personal risk. The WNBA’s Go Red For Women Week will take place from Sunday, June 21 to Tuesday, June 30.