Sky routs Chinese National Team

All-star center Sylvia Fowles and a big Sky frontline overwhelmed the Chinese National Team en route to an easy 84-45 win in the team’s first preseason test of the year.

Fowles played less than 15 minutes but led all scorers with 18 points as the Sky grabbed a 49-28 rebounding advantage and held China to 29.8 percent shooting for the game.

Rounding out the Sky’s scoring was guard Epiphanny Prince with 10 points, while 6-foot-6 rookie center Carolyn Swords came off the bench to collect 13 points and 8 rebounds. First-round draft pick Courtney Vandersloot played 21 minutes for the Sky and contributed 5 points with 7 assists.

The Sky led 38-28 at the half and broke the game wide open in the third period by outscoring China 28-7 thanks to a 12-0 run to start the period.

A crowd of 972 filled the tiny gym (1,000 capacity) at Trinity Inernational University in Deerfield for the Sky’s first contest of the season. Head coach Pokey Chatman started a veteran frontline of 6-6 Fowles, 6-5 forward Michelle Snow and 6-1 forward Shameka Christon. Prince started in the backcourt with Dominque Canty.

The Sky next preseason game is Thursday at the Washington Mystics.