ATLANTA (AP) mdash; Allisha Gray scored 23 points and Rhyne Howard had 21 as the hot-shooting Atlanta Dream held off Golden Statersquo;s late rally to take an 80-69 victory over the Valkyries in Game 6 on Thursday to pull even in the WNBA Finals.The decisive Game 7 will be played at Golden State on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. as each team seeks its first WNBA championship.After having their lowest scoring games of the Finals in losses in Games 4 and 5, the Dream enjoyed an offensive awakening when faced with the must-win mandate.On Wednesday, the Dream announced a sellout for Game 6 despite the much-criticized 12:30 p.m. EDT tipoff. There were only scattered empty seats in the upper level despite concerns about work and school obligations hurting the turnout.Angel Reese recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points. Tiffany Hayes added 15.Atlantarsquo;s biggest lead was 25 points. The Valkyries stormed back in the final minutes, pulling to 77-66 on Laeticia Amiherersquo;s two free throws with 1:57 remaining.After being held to 22 points in the first half of their 65-55 loss in Game 5, the Dream matched that total in the first 6:30 of the opening quarter.Much of the production came on 3s. Atlanta made 6 of 8 3s and 11 of 15 shots overall while racing to a 32-15 lead in the first quarter.After leading 6-5, the Dream pulled away with 13 unanswered points in a run that included two 3s from Jordin Canada.Reese joined the 3-point party with a shot from the corner in the second period. Entering the game, the Dream were 15-0 when Reese had at least one 3.While Atlantarsquo;s sharp shooting continued for a 46-26 halftime lead, the Valkyries struggled. Golden State made only 9 of 34 shots in the half, often struggling to create open opportunities because of the Dreamrsquo;s smothering defense.Howard opened the second half with another 3-pointer. Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was called for a flagrant foul later midway through the third period when an officialsrsquo; review determined she made an unnecessary windup and contact on Howardrsquo;s face as Howard was driving for a basket.Kaila Charles closed the third quarter with a 3-pointer for Golden State that trimmed Atlantarsquo;s lead to 16 points at 63-47. It was the smallest lead for the Dream since the 13-0 run in the opening period.Golden State pulled to within 13 points at 68-55 before Gray and Reese sank 3s to push the lead to 74-55. Williamsrsquo; three-point play cut the led to 77-69 before Gray sank a crucial 3-pointer for Atlanta.Hayes was called for her fifth foul in a collision for a loose ball with 5:01 remaining. Hayes left the court slowly after receiving attention from a trainer.Permalink| Comments ...read more read less