Recap: Hayes’ season-high 31 points elevate Dream

Tiffany Hayes (31 points) notched the third 30-point game of her career on 11-of-18 shooting and a 5-of-6 effort from beyond the arc to lead the Atlanta Dream to a 85-78 victory over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Ga.

The Dream (8-22) trailed by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, but took the lead with 4:15 to go in the third and led by at least five throughout the fourth.

There were six Dream players and five Fever players who made significant contributions.

Hayes added six rebounds and three assists to her contribution while Courtney Williams was good for 15 points, 11 boards, four helpers and three blocks. Monique Billings posted 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks, Elizabeth Williams recorded seven points, six rebounds and five blocks and rookie Aari McDonald accumulated six points, six assists and four steals in 27 minutes, her second-highest minute total of the season. WNBA legend Candice Dupree rounded out Atlanta’s key contributors with a season-high 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Teaira McCowan (15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, five blocks) was the top player for the Fever (6-24). Kelsey Mitchell paced Indiana with 18 points to go along with six boards and three helpers. Lindsay Allen (14 points, five assists, four steals), Emma Cannon (13 points, five assists, two steals) and Victoria Vivians (12 points, four assists, two steals) were all solid.

Both the Dream and Fever were already eliminated from playoff contention.