Sparks Defeats Phoenix 90-74

Story by L.T. Willis

The Sparks' defense is the reason why their record
is 7-1 after defeating the Phoenix Mercury. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Los Angeles Sparks improve their record to (7-1) after defeating the Phoenix Mercury (3-5) 90-74 with some great defensive team effort. The first quarter was neck in neck as rookie sensation Nneka Ogwumike 5 points, Candace Parker 4 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones 7 points were leading the charge in the first quarter. The Phoenix Mercury's Charde Houston 6 points and Candice Dupree 4 points were doing all they could too help keep them in the game. The Sparks had only a three point lead at the end of the first quarter 21-17.

Phoenix Mercury's #22 Charde
Houston. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Phoenix's #4 Candice Dupree skies
high for a rebound over Sparks'
#20 Kristi Toliver. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

                                                                                                                     

The second quarter wasn't good to Phoenix as the Sparks started to pull away from them as Candace Parker was showing why she is a superstar in the WNBA running the court having her way as she finish  the first half with 14 points 6 rebounds while Nneka Ogwumike had 11 points, DeLisha Milton- Jones  9 points and Kristi Toliver 7 points and the Sparks lead the Mercury 43-28 at the half. The Sparks' defense had already force Phoenix to commit 14 turnovers which lead to 14 points for the Sparks which was about the difference in the point spread that didn't allow the Mercury back into the game.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker had 19 points leading the way
in the third quarter. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The Mercury's Charde Houston was chipping in 19 points along with Candice Dupree 11 points, DeWanna Bonner ,Samantha  Prahalis and Alexis Gray- Lawson all scored six points, yet Phoenix couldn't make stops on defense and slow down Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker who both had 19 points, DeLisha Milton Jones and Kristi Toliver both had 12 points also in the third quarter and the Sparks led 66-57 at the end of the third quarter.

Sparks' #8 DeLisha Milton-Jones. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

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

The Sparks defeated the Phoenix Mercury 90-74 behind the balance attack of Nneka Ogwumike 25 points 12 rebounds, Candace Parker 23 points 10 rebounds, DeLisha Milton-Jones 21 points and Kristi Toliver 14 points and nine assist. Phoenix had three players in double figures Charde Houston 22 points, DeWanna Bonner 18 points and Candice Dupree 13 points. All photos were by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.