Satou Sabally from Liberty has a standout performance as she finds her rhythm.

Sabally Shines in Liberty’s Victory

ATLANTA — Sato Sabally was enjoying the lively atmosphere from the courtside fans on Thursday night. They playfully told her to take it easy while filming.

She responded, rather confidently, that she was aiming to make three more shots before the night came to an end.

When Sabally sunk a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, she turned to the fans, and laughter erupted among them.

Although she checked out later, she didn’t fulfill her promise of hitting those extra shots.

But in the grand scheme of things, it really didn’t matter.

What’s crucial is that Sabally continues to grow and evolve, as showcased by her performance in the Liberty’s 104-90 win over the Atlanta Dream.

She achieved an impressive 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, scoring a team-high 19 points, along with three rebounds. This was while coming off the bench for five consecutive games.

Her selflessness on the court isn’t overlooked. Many see her as a deserving starter, and it’s pretty likely she’ll move into the starting lineup soon.

Given her stature, Sabally could have easily demanded a starting position upon her return from illness a couple of weeks ago.

Yet, she chose not to. She appreciates the team’s culture and is focused on strengthening its performance following some lingering concussion issues that kept her sidelined, alongside her struggles with a cyst earlier this season.

Brianna Stewart reflected on the team’s latest success, saying, “We know what Satou brings to the table. She’s really dedicated and I hope she’s enjoying herself out there.”

Stewart added that it’s becoming clear that Sabally is finding her groove, and nights like this should be expected from her. The team is thrilled and eager to keep the momentum going.

Sabally often emphasizes the depth of the team as its biggest strength. She pointed to the Liberty’s significant 22-8 run during the third quarter, which saw pivotal contributions from multiple players, herself included, as evidence of this depth.

“Basketball is really about momentum,” Sabally noted. “I just made sure to pace myself a bit. There were so many great moments, but that stretch was particularly enjoyable.”

Meanwhile, Rebecca Gardner has emerged as one of the team’s unsung heroes. Each time she steps onto the floor, she impresses with her slashing ability and solid defensive skills.

Liberty is outscoring opponents by 27 points when Gardner is on the floor, ranking just behind Laney Hamilton for the best plus/minus among the team’s current reserves.