By DEITRA P. JOHNSON (ADW Sports Editor)
Things can sure change, and change quickly.
Just as the Atlanta Dream jumped out to an early 6-1 lead in the East last season, they are now struggling with a mediocre 2-7 record.
Comparably, the Dream took the lead in post-season play in 2010, but are now pulling up the rear in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta has dropped four of their last five games, including a 92-83 loss to Phoenix on June 24 and a 92-86 defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Silver Stars on June 26.
The flip side of the coin reveals a different story.
Just as the San Antonio Silver Stars were holding a disappointing 2-5 mark at the onset of the 2010 schedule, they are now boasting a credible 7-1 tally, holding first place in the West. The team is off to its best start in its 15-year history, and own a WNBA-best record thus far.
The latest win over the Dream closes out a successful two-game series between the two teams.
Jia Perkins scored 25 points and rookie Danielle Adams finished with 19 to lead San Antonio in the come-from-behind victory.
Atlanta blew a seven-point lead following two free throws by Miller with 5:02 remaining to play. And after a pair of free throws at 1:53 by Becky Hammon that led to an 81-79 lead for the visitors, San Antonio never looked back.
“When we had the lead we had a few poor decisions and did not stop the ball in critical moments,” said Atlanta guard CoCo Miller. “And unfortunately this means we came up short.”
Perkins began the fourth-quarter rally with a 3-pointer that cut the Silver Stars’ deficit to 78-74. Then Adams completed a three-point play that a tied the score at 79 with 2:23 left on the clock.
Hammon’s free throws and another rebound and putback by Adams put the game out of reach for Atlanta.
Hammon scored 17 points and had six assists.
Miller finished with 19 points and Angel McCoughtry had 15 for the Dream. Courtney Paris added 11 rebounds for Atlanta.
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