<img alt="Las Vegas Aces v Atlanta Dream" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dWhVHu3WDsI5bV90FgKfcGtl_8g=/0x0:3273x2182/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73382868/2154902682.0.jpg">
Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
A huge home win in front of the largest crowd in Gateway Center Arena history. College Park, GA — The Atlanta Dream emerged victorious on Friday evening over the Las Vegas Aces with a final score of 78-74. This intense game, held at the packed Gateway Center Arena, showcased a game full of highs and lows for both teams.
As a team, Atlanta shot 36.1% from the field and 50% from 3-point range. The group also went 26-for-29 at the free throw line. Allisha Gray finished with 24 points, three assists and four rebounds. The guard shot a career-high 6-for-7 from beyond the arc.
“I just give credit to my teammates, CP [Parker-Tyus] was getting me open,” said Gray.
Rhyne Howard trailed close behind with 16 points, two assists, two steals and two rebounds. Defensively, the Dream held the Aces to its worst field goal percentage of the season at 36.2%.
“We challenged them big time [Atlanta] to start defending at a high level. I thought tonight, we did a really good job of executing our defense game plan, defending at a high level and playing together,” said head coach Tanisha Wright.
“The biggest thing is one-on-one defense. So, we really tried to take pride in every possession,” said Cheyenne Parker-Tyus.
The first half of the game was marked by fierce competition, with both teams displaying strong defensive strategies. Atlanta took an early lead, thanks to their sharp shooting guard Howard, who accounted for 62.5% of the Dream offense produced in the first quarter with two created from assists in addition to her own.
The Dream outscored the Aces 7-0 to open the game, holding the visitors scoreless for nearly three minutes. Defensively, Atlanta held Las Vegas to a new low in points scored in the first quarter for the 2024 season with just 11.
Midway through the second quarter, the Dream put together a 12-4 run to come back within three of the Aces, 23-36. As a team, the Dream shot 46.7% from the field in the second quarter and 31.4% for the half.
By halftime, the score was tied at 34 -28 in favor of the Aces, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
The third quarter saw the Dream gaining momentum, driven by their star wing Gray, who dominated the paint and added nine points to the scoreboard. Initiated by a Gray 3-pointer, the Dream proceeded to go on a 19-7 run lasting for over half the the third quarter. The Dream held the Aces to going 6-for-16 from the field, and 2-for-7 from behind the arc. Atlanta outpaced Las Vegas in fast break points, 8-2.
Atlanta jumped out to another double-digit run, this time outpacing Las Vegas 13-4 for over two minutes. Aerial Powers furthered Atlanta’s lead to four points, 74-70, making the free throw after drawing a foul to put the Dream in the bonus.
With 20.8 seconds remaining, Powers went a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line to extend the Dream lead to four, 76-72. With 17.7 seconds remaining, Gray also went a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line to finalize Atlanta’s lead. Cheyenne was thrilled to get the victory over a tough Aces team.
“I was really thankful that we got that done, because it just shows us that like the sky’s the limit for this team. Like we’re really just scratching the surface,” said Parker-Tyus.
This victory boosts Atlanta’s confidence as they prepare for their next match. The win also highlights their depth and resilience, factors that will be crucial as they continue their season.
<img alt="Las Vegas Aces v Atlanta Dream" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dWhVHu3WDsI5bV90FgKfcGtl_8g=/0x0:3273x2182/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73382868/2154902682.0.jpg">
Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
A huge home win in front of the largest crowd in Gateway Center Arena history. College Park, GA — The Atlanta Dream emerged victorious on Friday evening over the Las Vegas Aces with a final score of 78-74. This intense game, held at the packed Gateway Center Arena, showcased a game full of highs and lows for both teams.
As a team, Atlanta shot 36.1% from the field and 50% from 3-point range. The group also went 26-for-29 at the free throw line. Allisha Gray finished with 24 points, three assists and four rebounds. The guard shot a career-high 6-for-7 from beyond the arc.
“I just give credit to my teammates, CP [Parker-Tyus] was getting me open,” said Gray.
Rhyne Howard trailed close behind with 16 points, two assists, two steals and two rebounds. Defensively, the Dream held the Aces to its worst field goal percentage of the season at 36.2%.
“We challenged them big time [Atlanta] to start defending at a high level. I thought tonight, we did a really good job of executing our defense game plan, defending at a high level and playing together,” said head coach Tanisha Wright.
“The biggest thing is one-on-one defense. So, we really tried to take pride in every possession,” said Cheyenne Parker-Tyus.
The first half of the game was marked by fierce competition, with both teams displaying strong defensive strategies. Atlanta took an early lead, thanks to their sharp shooting guard Howard, who accounted for 62.5% of the Dream offense produced in the first quarter with two created from assists in addition to her own.
The Dream outscored the Aces 7-0 to open the game, holding the visitors scoreless for nearly three minutes. Defensively, Atlanta held Las Vegas to a new low in points scored in the first quarter for the 2024 season with just 11.
Midway through the second quarter, the Dream put together a 12-4 run to come back within three of the Aces, 23-36. As a team, the Dream shot 46.7% from the field in the second quarter and 31.4% for the half.
By halftime, the score was tied at 34 -28 in favor of the Aces, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
The third quarter saw the Dream gaining momentum, driven by their star wing Gray, who dominated the paint and added nine points to the scoreboard. Initiated by a Gray 3-pointer, the Dream proceeded to go on a 19-7 run lasting for over half the the third quarter. The Dream held the Aces to going 6-for-16 from the field, and 2-for-7 from behind the arc. Atlanta outpaced Las Vegas in fast break points, 8-2.
Atlanta jumped out to another double-digit run, this time outpacing Las Vegas 13-4 for over two minutes. Aerial Powers furthered Atlanta’s lead to four points, 74-70, making the free throw after drawing a foul to put the Dream in the bonus.
With 20.8 seconds remaining, Powers went a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line to extend the Dream lead to four, 76-72. With 17.7 seconds remaining, Gray also went a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line to finalize Atlanta’s lead. Cheyenne was thrilled to get the victory over a tough Aces team.
“I was really thankful that we got that done, because it just shows us that like the sky’s the limit for this team. Like we’re really just scratching the surface,” said Parker-Tyus.
This victory boosts Atlanta’s confidence as they prepare for their next match. The win also highlights their depth and resilience, factors that will be crucial as they continue their season.
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