Sky slows McCoughtry in 2nd half to advance to WNBA semis

Tiffany Hayes, who didn’t play in the first round because of a one-game suspension for accrued technical in the regular season, scores 30 points for the Dream.

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Courtney Vandersloot scored 21 points with 13 assists, Jessica Breland had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and the Chicago Sky beat the Atlanta Dream 108-98 on Sunday.

The Sky advances to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

The Sky broke it open in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

Tamera Young made fast-break layups on consecutive possessions. Chicago’s 10-2 run to start the quarter for a 66-52 lead.

Atlanta was outscored 31-20 in the quarter.

Chicago cruised in the fourth — setting a season-high for total points — and will face Los Angeles in a best-of-five series.

Reigning MVP Elena Delle Donne missed her sixth straight game with a thumb injury for Chicago but it didn’t seem to faze the Sky on the offensive end. Chicago had 26 assists, made 55 percent of its shots, and Young and Cappie Pondexter each scored 16 points.

Chicago set a WNBA record for the most points in the first quarter of a playoff game when the Sky built a 3725 lead.

But Angel McCoughtry kept the Dream within 56-50 at halftime after scoring 21 points, including 10 of Atlanta’s first 14 points.

Tiffany Hayes, who didn’t play in the first round due to a one-game suspension for accrued technical in the regular season, scored 30 points for Atlanta.

McCoughtry finished with 27 points, six rebounds and nine assists.

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler was in attendance wearing a Cubs jersey.