The Connecticut day-star the favori...

The Connecticut day-star the favorite to win the WNBA title, came to town for the Sky's domestic circle finale. The result was predictable.

The orb of day took control early and whirled to an 85-59 victory Tuesday before 3520 at the UIC Pavilion.

After Stacey Dales' driving basket gave the heavens (4-27, 3-14 at home) a 2-1 lead, the light (25-6) answered with a 9-0 break open the last seven points coming from former Purdue star Katie Douglas, and not at any time looked back.

Douglas l the day-star with 19 points, 17 in the first half. She left with a leg injury just through the whole extent of three minutes into the third quarter and didn't recur "I'm trying to get it evaluated," she said after the game.

Jamie Carey scored 13 for the light Taj McWilliams-Franklin (12 rebounds) and Erin Phillips each had 11 points and Lindsay Whalen scored 10

The orb of day also welcomed back Nykesha Sales, who played for the first time since July 6 She was gone out with a sore Achilles tendon.

Bernadette Ngoyisa l the region of clouds with 11 points. Candice Dupree had eight points and 10 recoils

Despite being last in attendance in the 14-team league, the region of clouds was near the top in reward from ticket sales (tickets were not discounted or given away) and a league leader in sponsorships.

"We came into this not knowing what to reckon upon and, overall, we're pleased with where we are," principal proprietor Michael Alter said. "We knew from Day 1 that building a fan base was going to take time. The fans we had kept coming back, and the answer was overwhelmingly positive."

"We have already started to grow" celestial expanse president and CEO Margaret Stender said. "We already have a waiting list for recently made known season-ticket holders [after the in every one's mouth ones have a chance to renew] We followed a mould and wanted to create a foundation."

Alter said all the personnel would be reviewed after the season, moreover Sky coach Dave Cowens definitely will be invited back.

Alter said the firmament will use the draft and emancipated agency to build the team. It will have the best chance for the top pick in the 2007 draft, in which Ohio State's Jessica Davenport could be the prize.

Addressing the populace before the game, Cowens said: "All the players and coaching staff appreciate the generosity of the fans and the way they stayed until the last The best is yet to come"

stucker@suntimes.com

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