The Sparks Are (8-3) Back At Home

Story by L.T.Willis

The Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver  had a good night against the
Washington Mystics. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports

The  Los Angeles Sparks improved their record to (8-3) after a long road trip and being short handed with players. Ebony Hoffman still out with a left sprained ankle and Nicky Anosike left strain knee still out for several weeks, the Sparks had loses in San Antonio and Atlanta. Nneka Ogwumike miss a game because she was graduating from Stanford and was back in town for a show down with the Washington Mystics (2-5) on Monday. The Washington Mystics sign two former Sparks players Natasha Lacy and Noelle Quinn to their roster and both players were cheered when introduce.

Sparks' #0 Alana Beard goes  strong
to the rim against several Mystics.
Photo by Eric Wade /T.G.Sports

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker being guarded by
Mystics' # 2 Michelle Snow. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The first quarter of the game both teams were struggling with their offensive and turnovers made it a very sloppy game with the score being Sparks 18 Mystics 14 during the first quarter. It look like the Sparks were going to start pulling away from the Mystics when Natasha Lacy entered the game and  scored 7 points under three minutes left in the first quarter and Michelle Snow scored 4 points. The Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike continues to be a force to recon with in the WNBA was back and was leading the attack for the Sparks as she was  3-4  from the floor with 7 points. Kristi Toliver  had 6 points in the first quarter, but Candace Parker only had 1 point during that quarter showed even superstars have off nights.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The second quarter the Sparks turned up the heat on defense and forced the Mystics to commit 13 turnovers which lead to 13 points as other Sparks players begin to find their rhythm being at home. DeLisha Milton-Jones found her groove as she shot 3 for4 from the floor with 7 points, Alana Beard scored 6 points and Kristi Toliver ended the second quarter with 12 points as the Sparks had a 44-36 lead at half time. The Sparks defense have really came thru for this team this season as Coach Ross and her coaching staff have made that become the Sparks' trade mark forcing teams to make mistakes.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

The third quarter the Sparks offense was in high gear as Nneka Ogwumike had already racked up 17 points and was 8 for 9 from the floor, Kristi Toliver 15 points, DeLisha Milton- Jones had 13points and Candace Parker 11 points and 8 rebounds was just too much for the Mystics to over come. The Sparks was controlling the boards and  had some great fast breaks that had the Sparks' fans standing on their feet. The Sparks had a 21 point lead at the end of the third quarter 73-52. The Mystics' Michelle Snow 15 points and Natasha Lacy 12 points was just not enough to keep them in the game.

Sparks' # 3 Candace Parker.Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The Sparks defeated Mystics 101-70 with great defense and had balance scoring from their starters.The most impressive stat to me was the amount of time players had during the game with all the injuries. The starters had great amount of time and all were productive , but the minutes by the bench  kept a lot of the starters fresh. Jantel Lavender played 19:59 with 16 points 6 rebounds since last season has shown when she gets playing time she will produce, and with Ebony Hoffman and Nicky Anosike out she will be a key bench player. Nneka Ogwumike lead the Sparks in scoring with 24 points 7 rebounds, Kristi Toliver 15 points 6 assist, DeLisha Milton-Jones had 13 points, Candace Parker had 11 points and 8 rebounds and Alana Beard had 10 points and 5 assist. The Mystics' Michelle Snow finish with 15 points 7 rebounds, Natasha Lacy 12 points, Monique Currie 11 points and Noelle Quinn 10 points 5 rebounds. All photos were by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images. The Sparks next game is this Wednesday June 20 against Tulsa.