CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 20 (Ticker) -- As coach of the expansion Chicago Sky, Dave Cowens probably is hoping the rest of the games aren't as wild as the first one.

Cowens watched his team take a 16-point lead to the last three minutes, give it away and get it back in the final second on three free throws by Jia Perkins that provided an 83-82 victory over the Charlotte Sting.

NBA TV highlights from Sky-Sting: Play

Top draft pick Candice Dupree scored 19 points to lead a balanced attack for the Sky, who were added as the WNBA's 14th team last year. They used the expansion draft and free agency to fortify the roster with veterans, who showed very little poise down the stretch.

A layup by Stacey Lovelace-Tolbert gave Chicago an 80-64 lead with 3:31 to play, but the Sky did not score from the field again, missing three shots and committing four turnovers as they allowed the Sting back in the game.

Sheri Sam scored seven of her 17 points in a remarkable 18-0 run that was capped by LaToya Bond's 3-pointer that gave Charlotte an 82-80 lead with 3.5 seconds to go.

But on the ensuing possession, Bond committed a foul on a 3-pointer by Perkins, who was 1-of-10 from the field. She calmly made all three free throws with a second remaining. Charlotte did not get off a shot on its final possession.

Lovelace-Tolbert and Chelsea Newton scored 12 points apiece and veterans Stacey Dales and Nikki McCray added nine each for the Sky, who made 26-of-31 free throws but committed 21 turnovers. Perkins scored eight points.

Bond scored 15 points and Tangela Smith 14 for the Sting, who held a 36-23 advantage in rebounds but committed 27 turnovers. Rookie Monique Currie scored seven points in 19 minutes off the bench.