Slow Start For Sparks' Cost Them The Game

Story by L.T.Willis



Sparks' Natasha Lacy driving to the basket at will.
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE
via Getty Images.

The Los Angeles Sparks came out the gate slow and trail The San Antonio Stars by the score of 15-2 as Beck Hammon and Sophia Young was on fire and it seems that a rout is in the makings. By the time the first quarter had ended the Sparks' were down 29-17 as the starters just  couldn't get their offense going. Natasha Lacy, Jantel Lavender and Jenna O'Hea came in the game and you could see the energy level was starting to pick up for the Sparks. What seem to be a blow out in the makings the bench came in and cut the into the lead and only trailed The Silver Stars 42-32 at the half. Becky Hammon finish the first half with 12 points and Sophia Young had 10 points.



Jenna O'Hea had a big night with 12
points and 11 rebounds. Photo by
Andrew Bernstein/NBAE via
Getty Images.






Coach Bryant decided to go with the bench in the third quarter and have on the floor Natasha Lacy, Kristi Toliver, Jantel Lavender, Delisha Milton-Jones and Jeena O'Hea.That squad responded well as the Sparks 'defense begin to clamp down on the Silver Stars and the offense begin to show some life. With Natasha Lacy with her speed was able to get to the rim and this would set up the passing lanes for their outside shooters. Jenna O'Hea was having a good night shooting the ball and helping on the boards along with Toya Pringle and Jantel Lavender blocking shots and crashing the boards. At the end of the third the bench got the Sparks back in the game only trail The Silver Stars 57-55.

In the fourth quarter with 8:27 left in the game the Sparks pulled within one point and that was close as they would get after Natasha Lacy layup The Silver Stars had started to pull away because of the turnovers and the miss layups from the Sparks and Kristi Toliver going 0-12 shooting in the game The San Antonio Silver Stars defeated The Los Angeles Sparks 79-69. Even though the Sparks lost the game a lot of good things happen in the game. Natasha Lacy showed she could run the offense and be aggressive attacking the basket finish with 14 points and 7 assist, Jantel Lavender had 14 points and 7 rebs, Jenna O'Hea with her hustle play finish with 12points 11 rebs and 1 block shot and Toya Pringle 11 points and 4 block shots. The Sparks; turnovers dropped to 10 so that is a great sign for the team. For The Silver Stars Becky Hammon finish with 26 points 5 assist, Sophia Young had 18 points 10 rebs and Jayne Appel finish with 14 points.