Candace Parker makes home debut, helps Sky end losing streak

CHICAGO - Candace Parker made her hometown debut for Chicago and Courtney Vandersloot led the way offensively with 17 points and nine assists as the Sky beat the Indiana Fever 92-76 on Wednesday night to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Parker returned home to Chicago in the offseason after a 13-year stint with the Los Angeles Sparks, but she entered having played just one game due to an ankle injury.

She struggled from the field, shooting 1 of 9 in 18 minutes, but she grabbed five rebounds and had a key steal in the fourth quarter.

Chicago led 25-12 after the first quarter, but had it cut to 62-58 with 1:18 left in the third quarter. Allie Quigley answered with a 3-pointer and Vandersloot scored the final four points of the period to extend Chicago’s lead to 69-58.

Chicago made a season-high nine 3-pointers, and Indiana turned it over 16 times.

Azura Stevens and Stefanie Dolson each added 12 points for Chicago (3-7). Kahleah Copper had 11 and Quigley scored 10. Diamond DeShields needed to be helped off the floor midway through the fourth quarter.

Kelsey Mitchell scored 24 points, making six 3-pointers, for Indiana (1-10). Tiffany Mitchell added 20 points with six rebounds. Jantel Lavender had 14 points and seven rebounds, playing against her former team.