Though the Dream fell behind early, ending the first quarter trailing the Tempo 25-13, they turned things around with tighter defensive execution. Head coach Karl Smesko said the key was for the team to remember what the ultimate game plan was.
“We didn’t think we were executing our game plan very well, and the players just kind of came together and took the defense to another level. And as I kind of stated earlier, I think that kind of led to good things on the offensive end as well…I just thought
there was an increased attention to detail as we came out in the second quarter,” Smesko said.
The pep talk worked as Atlanta quickly answered back, outscoring Toronto 34-14 in the second quarter to close out 47-39 at the halftime mark.
Isobel Borlase was the player of the game. Coming off the bench, she scored 17 points, went 2-for-3 from 3-point range and added three rebounds.
Smesko praised Borlase’s efforts on both sides of the floor, along with her increased communication. He also mentioned how he was committed to making sure she continues to get quality minutes off the bench.
“Today was probably her best game of the year. She’s had some good ones, but this one was really to a next level, she gave us a spark in that second quarter where we were able to make a run despite being down double figures,” Smesko said. “… I just think each game she looks a little more comfortable, and she’s really talented, so that talent’s coming out now.”
Borlase explained in the postgame press conference that she’s found her footing adjusting to the speed of the WNBA versus overseas by making the most of her minutes and helping her teammates carry their load.
“I think it’s just reps practicing, and that gives you confidence,” Borlase said. “If, if you see the ball go through the ring a specific amount of times during practice, it makes you feel confident during the game… I’ve just tried to be kind to myself and allow the game to come to me. Like Lish (Allisha Gray) said, you can’t be too hard on yourself, so yeah, tonight they fell in, and hopefully they continue to do that.”
“They will,” Gray interjected. This got a chuckle out of both of them.
Gray—who led all scorers with 26-points, shooting 5-9 from the 3-point line with seven assists and three rebounds— explained a technique the team developed to help them stay composed during games.
“We got our thing where when things are crazy, just hit a whoosah,” Gray said, demonstrating the technique with both hands pinched in front of her while lowering her head. Borlase followed her with the motion. “And then you just go into the next play. Power play, next play. There’s no third option.”
Borlase agreed with a smile.
That technique proved especially important given the physicality of the matchup.
Angel Reese received the front end of it.
Facing her former teammate from Chicago, Isabelle Harrison, she received a hard foul in the third quarter. When Reese tried to push her way under the basket for a shot, Harrison grabbed her from behind and tackled her to the ground. It was originally called a common foul before being upgraded to a Flagrant 2, which resulted in Harrison being ejected for the remainder of the game.
Reese, visibly frustrated, had tears in her eyes as she walked to the free throw line.
When Smesko was asked about the physicality and Reese getting difficult calls made against her, this is what he had to say.
“It’s one of those situations where she’s going to be inside, she’s going to be physical, and you know, sometimes not getting the calls, and you just, you know, have to manage it,” Smesko said. “You can’t control it, so you just gotta keep playing. And I thought she did that tonight, and I think that’s a large reason why she had such a great second half of the game.”
Taking her battle wounds, Reese finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, for her ninth double-double in 13 games.
Rhyne Howard was the next leading scorer with 24 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two assists. Naz Hillmon added nine points and six rebounds, and Jordin Canada finished with five points, five rebounds, three steals and nine assists.
A few more notable achievements for the Dream included Gray moving into third place on the franchise’s all-time 3-pointers list with 234 career makes, while Smesko moved into fourth in franchise history with 39 wins.
For Toronto’s leaders, Harrison finished with 17 points and three rebounds, Julie Allemand added 13 points and three rebounds, and Brittney Sykes had 11 points with two rebounds and two assists.
The Dream is set to hit the road to face Indiana on Thursday, June 18, and again at home on Saturday, June 20.
