Billings lead Dream to 105-95 victory over Wings

Photo Screenshot from @atlantadream Twitter

The Atlanta Dream closed out opening weekend by capturing a 105-95 win over the Dallas Wing on Sunday at IMG Academy in Bradenton Florida. This was the first time Atlanta scored 100 points since August 9, 2018 (109 vs Las Vegas).

FINAL
We got the W!
Dream 105
Wings 95#SayHerName #BreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/NKRuoToek1

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 26, 2020

Last season Atlanta and Dallas was worst teams in the league. With Sunday’s win Atlanta’s all-time record against the Dallas/Tulsa franchise improved to 17-8.

First quarter highlights pic.twitter.com/qA53Po1uU1

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 26, 2020

All five Dream starters scored in double-digits. Third year vet Monique Billings led the team in scoring a career-high 30 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists. Billings grabbed her second career double-double.

What a season debut from @moniquebillings!

CAREER-HIGH 30 POINTS pic.twitter.com/QMjaHe7IK9

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 26, 2020

“Mo put in the work,” said head coach Nicki Collen. “Nobody worked harder in the offseason, nobody worked harder during quarantine and in the gym to continue to be really consistent. She’s always played with a ton of energy. Mentally, she was saying today, ‘I’m so ready for this moment.”

The last Dream player to collected 30 points was Tiffany Hayes on August 10, 2019 at Indiana.

Betnijah Laney landed a career-high 19 points.  Rookie and no. 4 draft pick out of Texas A&M Chennedy Carter finished with 18 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in her WNBA debut.

Eighteen and eight is pretty good for a rookie,” Collen said about Carter . “She had moments where I don’t think she engaged on defense early so I really challenged her there. She’s just kind of learning. I’m really proud of Chennedy. This was a high pace game.”

Vet Elizabeth Williams put 17 points on the board, while Shekinna Stricklen tallied 16 points and knocked down 4 three-pointers to round off the scoring effort in her Dream debut.

The Dream are now 7-5 all-time in season openers. Atlanta will be back in action on Wednesday, July 29 when the team face the Las Vegas Aces at 10 p.m ET on CBSSN.

Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the WNBA/Atlanta Dream 2020 Season.

#onecityoneteam #sayhername