Comets Keep Dream Winless
HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Comets picked up their third straight victory Monday night with an 88 to 79 win over the Atlanta Dream in front of an announced crowd of 6,139 fans inside venerable Reliant Arena.
The win gives the Comets (3-7) their second straight victory and keeps the Dream (0-10) winless.
Though the Comets led by as many as 15 points in the game, the Dream kept coming back thanks to the solid play of their starting backcourt.
Betty Lennox (season-high tying 29 points and 11 rebounds) and Ivory Latta (career-high 21 points) combined for 50 of Atlanta's 79 points.
The Comets used balanced scoring in the game. Michelle Snow scored 18 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Tina Thompson and rookie guard Matee Ajavon each scored 12 points while veteran point guard Shannon Johnson added 11 points and rookie point guard Erica White poured in 10 points.
Houston led 22 to 16 at the end of the first quarter and 45 to 35 at halftime.
The Comets began the third quarter with five straight points to lead 50 to 35 before Lennox and Latta helped key a 13 to 4 run by the Dream to pull within six points (54-48) with 5:23 left in the third period.
Snow scored seven points during an 11 to 6 Comets' run to put the Comets ahead 65 to 54 with 3:06 remaining.
The Dream scored 10 straight points -- all on free throws -- to pull within one point; however, Ajavon scored a driving lay-up and dished a bounce pass to teammate Mistie Williams which Williams converted into an easy lay-up to give the Comets a 69 to 64 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Comets began the fourth quarter with a quick six to 2 burst to lead by nine points (75 to 66) and force a full time-out by the Dream.
"We had a little lapse there where we got tired," said Coach Karleen Thompson after the game. "But, we were able to bring in the second unit and give us more energy. Our bench players came in; and they were ready which enabled us to finish it out."
The Dream pulled within six points twice before Ajavon scored another lay-up to boost Houston's lead to 10 points (83 to 73) at the 2:46 mark of the fourth quarter.
Lennox answered Ajavon's lay-up with her final made field goal of the game; but, Atlanta would get no closer than six points the rest of the ball game.
The aggressive play of White and Ajavon definitely had a positive impact on the Comets in tonight's game.
"That's something her (Ajavon) and I talk about," said Erica White after the game. "Just trying to be aggressive. Trying to get in the point; trying to get to the free throw line. Then, defensively, we try to get deflections and bring energy."
The Comets dominated the Dream in the paint outscoring them 40 to 14.
"I think we're understanding the offense and what we're supposed to do," Snow added. "But, scoring is secondary for us. Defense first. No defense, you're coming out."
After a made three-point jump shot by Shannon Johnson gave the Comets a 15 to 14 lead late in the first quarter, the Comets led the Dream the final 32 minutes of the ball game.
"I thought our team came out and did what we had to do from the jump which was play for a full forty minutes once again," said Snow. "Then, when we subbed, our energy level stayed up. We attacked the other team. We didn't play on our heels. And, we won on the boards; so, when you attack the other team; play for forty minutes; and win on the boards, you're supposed to win the game."
Note:
Sixty-two (that's right, 62 -- 30 on the Comets) fouls were called in the game. With all of the whistles, the game had no flow whatsoever.
The win gives the Comets (3-7) their second straight victory and keeps the Dream (0-10) winless.
Though the Comets led by as many as 15 points in the game, the Dream kept coming back thanks to the solid play of their starting backcourt.
Betty Lennox (season-high tying 29 points and 11 rebounds) and Ivory Latta (career-high 21 points) combined for 50 of Atlanta's 79 points.
The Comets used balanced scoring in the game. Michelle Snow scored 18 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Tina Thompson and rookie guard Matee Ajavon each scored 12 points while veteran point guard Shannon Johnson added 11 points and rookie point guard Erica White poured in 10 points.
Houston led 22 to 16 at the end of the first quarter and 45 to 35 at halftime.
The Comets began the third quarter with five straight points to lead 50 to 35 before Lennox and Latta helped key a 13 to 4 run by the Dream to pull within six points (54-48) with 5:23 left in the third period.
Snow scored seven points during an 11 to 6 Comets' run to put the Comets ahead 65 to 54 with 3:06 remaining.
The Dream scored 10 straight points -- all on free throws -- to pull within one point; however, Ajavon scored a driving lay-up and dished a bounce pass to teammate Mistie Williams which Williams converted into an easy lay-up to give the Comets a 69 to 64 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Comets began the fourth quarter with a quick six to 2 burst to lead by nine points (75 to 66) and force a full time-out by the Dream.
"We had a little lapse there where we got tired," said Coach Karleen Thompson after the game. "But, we were able to bring in the second unit and give us more energy. Our bench players came in; and they were ready which enabled us to finish it out."
The Dream pulled within six points twice before Ajavon scored another lay-up to boost Houston's lead to 10 points (83 to 73) at the 2:46 mark of the fourth quarter.
Lennox answered Ajavon's lay-up with her final made field goal of the game; but, Atlanta would get no closer than six points the rest of the ball game.
The aggressive play of White and Ajavon definitely had a positive impact on the Comets in tonight's game.
"That's something her (Ajavon) and I talk about," said Erica White after the game. "Just trying to be aggressive. Trying to get in the point; trying to get to the free throw line. Then, defensively, we try to get deflections and bring energy."
The Comets dominated the Dream in the paint outscoring them 40 to 14.
"I think we're understanding the offense and what we're supposed to do," Snow added. "But, scoring is secondary for us. Defense first. No defense, you're coming out."
After a made three-point jump shot by Shannon Johnson gave the Comets a 15 to 14 lead late in the first quarter, the Comets led the Dream the final 32 minutes of the ball game.
"I thought our team came out and did what we had to do from the jump which was play for a full forty minutes once again," said Snow. "Then, when we subbed, our energy level stayed up. We attacked the other team. We didn't play on our heels. And, we won on the boards; so, when you attack the other team; play for forty minutes; and win on the boards, you're supposed to win the game."
Note:
Sixty-two (that's right, 62 -- 30 on the Comets) fouls were called in the game. With all of the whistles, the game had no flow whatsoever.
posted by Kris G @ 11:03 PM
1 Comments:
At Tue Jun 17, 06:29:00 AM CDT,
Anonymous said…
Another win!! Boy was it ugly. Seems the games are getting uglier. Is it the refs first, then the basketball game? What's with all the whistles. That crew last night has got to be in the ER this morning due to sore mouth. This ref thing is really getting pathetic. I thought we had seen all this last year, but looks like the refs are going to run wild again this year. KEEP ON GOING COMETS!!!!
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home