Ogwumike Sister Power Sparks Past Fever
Published on July 12, 2019 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Los Angeles Sparks used a third quarter offensive outburst to take a 30-point lead, and held on to beat the Indiana Fever, 90-84.
The first quarter seesawed back and forth as both Ogwumike's had six early points to give Los Angeles a 14-11 lead. Nneka would tack on four more points to reach double-figures for the 11th time this season and give the Sparks an 18-11 lead and force a timeout from Fever head coach Pokey Chatman. Indiana responded with a 7-2 run, but Chelsea Gray, who was named an All-Star starter on Thursday, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Sparks a 23-17 lead afer the first quarter.
Chelsea Gray opened scoring in the second quarter with another triple to give the Sparks their largest lead of the game, 26-17. The basket put Gray in double-figures for the ninth time this season. The Sparks continued to move the ball well and shoot over 50% from the field. A Marina Mabrey 3-pointer gave the Sparks a 39-28 lead. Chiney Ogwumike would add a layup right after, entering double-figures for the ninth time this season. The Fever did just enough to stay in the game, led by eight points from Erica Wheeler, and the Sparks took a 45-35 lead into the half.
Chiney scored the first basket of the second half on a putback and a Nneka turnaround jumper followed by a Riquna Williams 3-pointer gave the Sparks their largest lead of the game at 56-38. The Sparks tacked on seven more straight to go up 63-38. The Sparks started the third quarter on a 21-3 run and took a 76-52 lead into the fourth quarter, leading by as much as 30 points in the period. The 31 third-quarter points marked the most in any third quarter this year and tied a season high for points in a quarter.
The Sparks continued to play aggressive defense early in the fourth quarter as Nneka Ogwumike tied a career-high in steals (6) and the team had a season-high 16 steals. A Mabrey 3-pointer gave the Sparks a 90-65 lead. The Fever didn't give up, storming back with a 19-0 run to end the game, but didn't have enough time to threaten a serious comeback.
Attendance: 7,849
Up Next: The Sparks travel to Atlanta to take on the Dream on Saturday at noon PT on
NBATV and WNBA LeaguePass.
Sparks Notes
- Chelsea Gray reached double-figures for the ninth time this season with 15 points and added six assists and five rebounds
- Nneka Ogwumike reached double-figures for the 11th time this season finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and a career high six steals
- Nneka Ogwumike crossed the 20 point threshold for the fourth time this season
- Chiney Ogwumike reached double-figures for the ninth time this season with 19 points and nine rebounds
- Marina Mabrey reached double-figures for the second time this season with 10 points
- The Sparks started the third quarter on a 21-3 run
- The Sparks had their highest third quarter scoring mark of the season with 31 points, which tied their most points in a quarter this season.
- The Sparks had a season-high 16 steals
- Nneka Ogwumike tied a career high with six steals
Fever Notes
- Erica Wheeler scored in double-figures with 11 points
- Shenise Johnson scored in double figures with 11 points
- The Fever scored 32 points in the fourth quarter, the most points the Sparks have given up in a quarter in 2019
- The Fever ended the game on a 19-0 run
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 12, 2019
- Wings Travel to Seattle for Tussle with Storm - Dallas Wings
- Fever Suffer 90-84 Setback against Los Angeles - Indiana Fever
- Ogwumike Sister Power Sparks Past Fever - Los Angeles Sparks
- Aces and Mystics Square off with First Place on the Line, Saturday, at 4 PM PT. - Las Vegas Aces
- Diana Taurasi to Make 2019 Season Debut Tonight at Connecticut - Phoenix Mercury
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