In the expansion team's first-ever game, Chicago got past Charlotte in a thriller. The Sky blew a 17-point lead in the final three minutes, then trailed 80-82 before Jia Perkins got fouled in a final trey attempt; Perkins made all three free throws to give the new franchise a one-point win.

Perkins: "I was nervous and excited, and on the line everyone was telling me to calm down. When I made the first one, a lot of the pressure was off, and then the second and the third. When I went up there, my legs were shaking."

Another Sky highlight: Candice Dupree's 19 points on 7-10 shooting. Sheri Sam led the Sting with 17; McCarville did not play.

Charlotte can try to take pride in their near-comeback-- or regret their 27 turnovers. Insult to injury: Perkins came to Chicago from Charlotte in the expansion draft.

Sky coach Cowens on the close call: "Everything was going great and then we couldn't get a shot off, couldn't take care of the ball."

Chicago's Stacey Lovelace: "Coach told us today, `When you have the ball, you're the star.' He gives us all the confidence to take it upon ourselves."