The Sparks Balance Attack Defeats Indiana

Story by L.T.Willis

The Los Angeles Sparks hosting The Indiana Fever. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Los Angeles Sparks (17-6) were back at home and continue where they left off at the half way mark before the Olympic break by defeating the Indiana Fever (12-8) 79-69 at The Staple Center. One of the hottest teams in the WNBA and still on the tail of the San Antonio Silver Stars use a balance attack on offense and continue to let their defense set the tempo for the game. The Sparks must still must do a better job on getting the turnovers down and rebounding.

The Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike going strong to
rim against Indy's #45 Sasha Goodlett. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Sparks' #0 Alana Beard playing
great defense against Indy's
#23 Katie Douglas. Photo
by Eric Wade/T,G.Sports.

The Sparks' starters Kristi Toliver, Alana Beard, Candace Parker, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Nneka Ogwumike all scored double figures and shot the ball well on the night, and from the free throw line to keep Indiana from making any type of run. Candace Parker who played on the USA Women's Gold Basketball Team was still showing why she is the WNBA best players as she was out and running and in attack mode.

The Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver continues to show that she is one of the best
shooters in the league. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G Sports.

The Sparks didn't start pulling away from the Indiana till the second quarter had a 41-28 lead behind the hot shooting of Kristi Toliver with 10 points, Alana Beard 8 points and Nneka Ogwumike 8 points. Indiana's Katie Douglas with 9 points was doing all she could too try to keep Indiana in the game. The Sparks 'free shooting in the first half was 85.7% , while making 57.7% of the shots from the floor was the difference.

The Sparks' #3 Candace Parker had a good night against
Indiana with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.

The Indiana Fever in third quarter turn up the pressure on defense and was forcing the Sparks to turn the ball over, and at the end of the third quarter trailed 62-55 with Katie Douglas 20 points, Tamika Catchings and Shavonte Zellous both with 8 points, and off the bench Eriana Larkins 7 points and Erin Philips 5 points help keep them in the game. Candace Parker was having a quiet night as she had 8 points and 6 rebounds to close out the third quarter and Kristi Toliver had 16 points.

The Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogumike, #25 Marissa Coleman and
# 8 DeLisha Milton-Jones going after a rebound. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Sparks defense forced Indiana into taking bad shots, while The Sparks players were making their shots and  free throws down the stretch, help secure a victory over the Indiana Fever 79-69. Indiana's Katie Douglas finish the game with 22 points 7 rebounds, Tamika Catching 16 points and Shavonte Zellous finish with 10 points. The Sparks' Kristi Toliver finish the night with 21 points, Candace Parker 15 points 8 rebounds, Nneka Ogwumike 12 points 10 rebounds, Alana Beard 10 points 5 assist and DeLisha Milton- Jones 8 points . All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.