Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Chicago Sky came up short on opening night against the Dallas Wings, but a strong second half from first-round draft pick Angel Reese pointed to the bright future that may lay ahead.

The Wings pulled away down the stretch and won 87-79 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. Chicago’s lack of continuity became a bigger and bigger problem as the night unfolded.

Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon is likely to take some positives away from Reese’s performance, though, especially when considering how the rookie forward started the contest. Through the first half, Reese had one point, one rebound and one assist. She finished with 12 points, seven boards, one dime and one steal.

Bleacher Report@BleacherReport

Angel Reese gets her first career basket in the W 🔥<br><br>One of many for the Chi-town Barbie ⭐️<br><br>(via <a href=”https://twitter.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@WNBA</a>)<a href=”https://t.co/px4wtoXaQ7″>pic.twitter.com/px4wtoXaQ7</a>

Plenty of fans were pleased to see the turnaround.

Reed Darcey@byreeddarcey

Much better second half for Angel Reese. She’s up to 12 points and 5 rebounds now. Shooting 5/11. <a href=”https://t.co/VsYUGBkaVe”>https://t.co/VsYUGBkaVe</a>

Meghan L. Hall@ItsMeghanLHall

Angel Reese is up to 12 points and getting the better of Natasha Howard.

00:0000:31✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original contentJordan A. Hayles@MR_STiXX

Yeah, Angel Reese is gonna be just fine in the W

Blake@BMeek23

Angel Reese has played incredibly well in this second half.

Chris Williamson@CWilliamson44

Angel Reese is here!!!! 73-69 against the Dallas wings !! T-Spoon got em doing well !!

Jarrett Hoffman@JHSportsPlug

Angel Reese starting to get comfortable after a rough start

Annie Costabile@AnnieCostabile

Angel Reese finding her rhythm here in the fourth quarter. She’s up to nine points with two rebounds and one steal.

Zachary Draves@DravesZachary

Angel Reese finished her WNBA debut with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist. <br><br>She made a huge statement tonight that she was made for the W.

Caitlin Clark received her welcome to the WNBA on Tuesday night as she turned the ball over 10 times and shot 5-of-15 from the floor in the Indiana Fever’s 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun.

Reese’s outing was another example of the growing pains every rookie encounters when they make the jump. Not to mention, going up against a frontcourt that includes Natasha Howard and Teaira McCowan is a challenge for even the elite forwards in the W.

Putting up 12 and seven is an encouraging debut from the former LSU star.

The Sky and Wings will meet again Saturday at College Park Center, a quirk of the WNBA scheduling structure and its intent to cut down on travel.