The Atlanta Dream(1-1) got their first win of the season as they went into Indiana and defeated the Fever(1-1) 91-90 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.
The Dream got off to a great start against the Fever. Atlanta led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter and led 31-23 after one, but after 31 points in the first, the Dream went cold in the second quarter and scored only 13 points. Indiana’s Caitlin Clark scored 11 of her game-high 27 points in the second quarter, but the Dream led 44-42 at the break.
However, Atlanta came out strong in the third. Rhyne Howard began the quarter by scoring the Dream’s first nine points and extending the lead to 53-42; Atlanta would go on a 14-5 run to take their largest lead of the game of 14 points, and they would take a 76-65 lead into the fourth.
In the final stanza, the Fever would make a run, and as they did in the second quarter, the Dream would go cold and were outscored 25-15 in the fourth. After a Brittney Griner hook in the lane, the Dream would take an 87-78 lead with just under five minutes to go. However, Indiana would go on a 12-2 run, testing the Dream’s resilience. After an Aliyah Boston free throw, Indiana would take their first lead since the first quarter at 90-89 with 21.7 seconds left. But the Dream, showing their determination, didn’t give up. Rhyne Howard would get fouled on a drive, and she would make both free throws with 09.7 seconds left.
Indiana had one final chance to win the game; however, Natasha Howard missed a baseline jumper, and the Dream escaped with the win.
Clark also added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Fever. Boston and Kelsey Mitchell added 24 points apiece. Boston would also have 10 rebounds.
For the Dream, Griner had 21 points, Howard added 20, and Brionna Jones chipped in with 19.
This was a quality road win for Atlanta, but the excitement doesn’t end here. They will face the Fever again on Thursday in Atlanta, and Indiana will definitely be motivated after tonight’s outcome. The upcoming rematch promises to be an intense and thrilling game.
Photo: Ron Hoskins/Getty
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