WNBA Los Angeles Sparks

Short-Handed Sparks Grind out Overtime Win against Atlanta

Published on July 14, 2019 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release


ATLANTA (July 14, 2019) - The Sparks trailed by three in overtime but used a 10-2 run to pull out a 76-71 against the Atlanta Dream. The Sparks had just eight active players as Candace Parker, Alexis Jones, Alana Beard and Maria Vadeeva were all out with injuries, but grinded out the victory to win two out of three on the road trip. Riquna Williams led the Sparks with 23 points and Tiffany Hayes led the Dream with 24.

A Nneka Ogwumike 3-pointer and put-back stopped a 4-0 Dream run to start the game to give the Sparks a 5-4 lead at the first timeout. It was a sluggish start for both teams with the Sparks missing nine of their first 11 attempts and the Dream missing seven of nine to start the game. Riquna Willims chipped in five first quarter points in addition to Nneka's seven to give the Sparks a 16-12 lead after the first quarter. The teams were a combined 10-for-39 from the field.

The defensive struggle continued into the second quarter as neither team found a rhythm. Kalani Brown was a bright spot, scoring six points on the low block. Chelsea Gray scored her first points on free throws with 3:14 left in the half. Williams back-to-back 3-pointers gave the Sparks a 32-28 lead. The second gave her 11 points, putting her in double-figures for the seventh time this season and the sixth time in seven games. The Sparks led 32-30 at the half.

The Sparks started the half on a 6-1 run before Hayes scored a basket with the foul to make it 38-34 Los Angeles. Nneka Ogwumike reached double-figures for the 12th time this season in 15 appearances on a layup to put the Sparks up 42-38. Moments later, she'd record her seventh double-double of the season. Kalani Brown reached double-figures for the second time this season on a layup that gave the Sparks a 48-40 lead. The Dream ended the third quarter on a 7-0 run to cut the Sparks lead to one at 50-49 entering the fourth.

Tierra Ruffin-Pratt scored the first basket of the fourth on a leaner. Two Marina Mabrey free throws put the Sparks up 56-51. An Alex Bentley 3-pointer cut it to 56-55 as both teams continued to shoot in the low 30% range. A Williams transition layup gave the Sparks a 60- 57 lead and an offensive rebound and put-back from Williams put them up 62-58 with 1:30 remaining, but the Dream answered with four straight points to tie at 62-62 with 28.4 seconds remaining. Chelsea Gray, who's made a living on late-game heroics, hit a fadeaway jumper with 4.8 remaining to put the Sparks up 64-62, but Tiffany answered with a weaving drive to tie the game with one second remaining and send the game to overtime.

The Dream took their first lead of the second half on an Elizabeth Williams free throw and a Hayes layup put them up 67-64. A Nneka layup cut it to 67-66. A Williams 3-pointer tied it a 69-69 and another triple from her put the Sparks up 72-69. But Hayes attacked again and drew two free throws to cut it to 72-71 Sparks. Nneka answered with a layup to go up 74-71 and a Chelsea Gray jumper put the Sparks up 76-71 with 10.6 seconds left to seal the gritty win. Attendance: 5083

Up Next: The Sparks return home to Los Angeles and will host the Dallas Wings on Thursday, July 18 at 12:30 p.m. PT for a camp day game on Spectrum SportsNet and NBATV.

Sparks Notes

- The Sparks were without Candace Parker (ankle), Alana Beard (hamstring), Alexis Jones (knee) and Maria Vadeeva (knee)

- Nneka Ogwumike reached double-figures for the 12th time this season and recorded her seventh double-double of the season scoring 17 and grabbing 15 rebounds

- Riquna Williams reached double-figures for the seventh time this season and the fifth time in six games leading the Sparks with 23 points

- Kalani Brown reached double-figures for the second time this season with 12 points

- Chelsea Gray reached double-figures for the 10th time this season with 10 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds Dream Notes

- The Dream were without Angel McCoughtry who continues to rehab from a 2018 season-ending left knee injury

- Tiffany scored in double-figures for the Dream with 24 points

- Alex Bentley reached double-figures for the Dream with 12 points

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