VIDEO: WNBA and China's Best Collide in Deefield

For its first preseason game, the Chicago Sky squared off against an opponent it had never seen before and basketball fans in Deerfield got to see a matchup they may never see again.  The Sky hosted the Chinese National Team at as part of the Sky's Education Day, bringing in over 1,000 students from local schools to watch the action.

The Sky got its season started on a high note, coming away with an 84-45 win, outscoring its opponent 46-17 in the second half.  Despite the lopsided final score, the game remained close for most of the first half and the Chinese team left local fans with a good first impression (click on the video link to hear their reactions).

It also took Sky players and coaches most of the first half to figure out the most effective way to play against a team with a style unlike most in the WNBA.

"Adjusting to the way they play the game was kind of tough," Sky Head Coach Pokey Chatman said.  "They do a lot of flair screens with post players that can step outside.  So I thought it took a little while for the jitters to get out but we did okay in the second half."

Sky forward Sylvia Fowles led all scorers with 18 points while also grabbing four rebounds.  Carolyn Swords chipped in 13 points off the bench, while Epiphanny Prince added 10 points and four assists.  First round draft pick Courtney Vandersloot contributed five points and seven assists for the Sky.

Chicago has one more preseason game remaining against Washington before opening the regular season at Indiana on Saturday, June 4th.

For more on the Sky's matchup against China, click on the video link above.

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