Dupree helps Sky snap Storm's streak
SEATTLE -- Candace Dupree, rookie Kristie Toliver and the rest of the Chicago Sky were not fazed by the Seattle Storm's home dominance.
Dupree had 28 points, and Toliver added a career-high 22 to lead the Sky to a 86-81 victory Sunday night that snapped the Storm's 15-game, home-winning streak.
Dupree, who fell one point shy of tying her career high in points, made a 3 with 1:16 left to give the Sky an 82-79 lead. The Sky (7-7) snapped a four-game losing streak.
Seattle's winning streak began in June 2008 and continued through the first five home games this season.
"It was a huge win for us, especially to get one on the road against Seattle," Toliver said. "It's a tough place to play and we'd just come off four straight losses, so it was crucial for us to get this win."
Lauren Jackson and Tanisha Wright each had 18 points for Seattle (8-5). Swin Cash had 14 points, and Janelle Burse added 13 for Seattle.
"I think the whole game we were always trying to catch up to get stops," Wright said. "We did some different things defensively, and they just hit shots. Maybe sometimes we broke down and sometimes they were hitting them right there with us. They made all the plays they needed to make to win the game."
Jia Perkins scored 10 straight points for the Sky late in the fourth quarter. The game had nine lead changes and five ties in the final period.
Jackson shot an airball on a 3-pointer in the closing seconds that would have tied it at 84. Sue Bird missed a short running shot with 15 seconds left.
"We had an opportunity right up until the end and we didn't make the most of it," Jackson said. "It's frustrating. Everyone's heads are down because we wanted to win. Everyone really tried hard. Tanisha had a gallant effort. The things she did were amazing.
"If we all could have stepped up and had the intensity and focus, I think we would have won that game."
Bird, who had only four points and shot 1-for-10 from the field, felt her shot would drop.
"I got a good look," Bird said. "I should have made it. I got a very good look."
Syliva Fowles had four points and five rebounds for the Sky after missing four games due to a sore right knee.
Toliver and Dupree each had 14 points in the first half to help give the Sky take a 42-34 lead late in the second quarter. Toliver made four 3-pointers in the first half and finished with six.
Cash and Jackson each had 12 points in the opening half as the Storm rallied to tie it 42-42 at halftime.
The Storm and Sky traded the lead in the second half. Neither team was ahead by more than four points in the third quarter.
"It was one of the most consistent games I've seen," Chicago coach Steve Key said. "There were no ups and downs by either team. Maybe one or two times somebody got a 6-0 or 7-0 run, but after that somebody was able to get a stop."
Except in the final two minutes, when the Sky made the big shots and got the stops.
"We didn't adjust defensively at all, especially at the end," Jackson said.
The rare home loss hit the Storm hard.
"We know we let one slip away," Bird said. "We know home games are very important. You want to win every single one at home. You never want another team to walk in here and take one from you."