After beginning the 2011 season 3-1, the Chicago Sky fell to 4-5 on Tuesday night; defeated by the San Antonio Silver Stars with a final score of 84-74. Meanwhile, the Silver Stars improved to 7-1. They currently posses the best record in the WNBA, to the surprise of many. Sky head coach Pokey Chatman attributes the dominant play of the Silver Stars to having three rookies that are playing well. “Put us on the list”, was Chatman’s response to rookie Danielle Adams giving the Sky problems as she finished with 16 points, 3-5 from downtown.
All in all, the Sky had every opportunity to win this game, and actually led throughout the majority of the contest. San Antonio struggled early, shooting just 35% from the floor in the first half. It was in the fourth quarter that they made a run, and Chicago was not able to counter. Closing out games has seemingly been an issue in a couple of the Sky’s losses. “In the fourth quarter we tend to get away from our game plan”, said Sylvia Fowles. “We go into “no man’s land” and it gets out of control. It’s just about locking in and doing what we have to do”.
It was not for lack of effort that the Sky could not pull out the win. They did play hard as Fowles goes on to acknowledge “I’ll never question our heart. I think it’s more lack of energy, getting more rebounds and defensive stops. Getting good looks and being smart with the ball. It’s all of that.”
Fowles finished the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Epiphanny Prince led the Sky with 19. Erin Thorn was able to break out of her shooting slump and score 14 points off the bench; which both she and coach Chatman were happy to see. “I guess that would be one positive that I can take from the game, getting into a rhythm”, said Thorn.
Going forward, it’s just about keeping things together and playing well for the duration. The schedule does not get much easier for the Sky as they head to Phoenix for a rematch against Diana Taurasi and the Mercury on Friday.
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