WNBA: McCoughtry returns as Dream trip Liberty

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The Atlanta Dream didn't panic when the New York Liberty made a run late in the first half to take a lead at the break. They just regrouped and took control of the game in the third quarter.

Angel McCoughtry scored 23 points and Sancho Lyttle added 19 to lead the Dream to a 74-64 victory Sunday.

"We just can't let outside things get in our head," McCoughtry said when asked what the team discussed after giving up a 10-point lead and trailing by two at halftime. "We were a little frustrated with some calls, a little frustrated with the way we were playing, and how they were making their run. It's called adversity, it happens. It's the game."

McCoughtry was 7-for-20 from the field and 8-for-10 on free throws in her return after missing two games due to a knee injury, helping the Dream (5-7) snap a two-game skid.

Lyttle scored nine points, Armintie Price had five and McCoughtry added five points and four rebounds as Atlanta outscored New York 25-10 in the third quarter to take a 13-point lead.

"It's not because of me. It's a team effort and everybody coming together, regrouping after a loss," McCoughtry said. "(Lyttle) hit a couple of 3s ... she has the highest 3-point percentage shooting on the team and she's a post player. Armintie got some great rebounds, got fouled. Lindsey (Harding) is coming back slowly."

Leilani Mitchell scored 16 points, Kara Braxton had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Cappie Pondexter and DeMya Walker added 12 points each as the Liberty (4-9) lost for the fourth time in five games. New York's lone win during that stretch came at Atlanta last Tuesday in a game McCoughtry missed.

Pondexter fouled out of the game late in the fourth quarter as the Liberty were trying to make a surge. She finished 4 for 17 from the field with seven turnovers.

"We couldn't make shots tonight," Pondexter said. "They did a great job of adjusting. We were the last game they played and obviously they made a lot of adjustments. ... We just got to learn to be consistent. It's kind of up and down, it's kind of hard for us to get it together."

The Liberty had 26 turnovers, which led to 31 points for the Dream. Atlanta had 16 turnovers, leading to nine points for New York.

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WNBA: McCoughtry returns as Dream trip Liberty