Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike #30 in the lane during the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 2, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker #3 floating to the basket during the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 2, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Sparks led at halftime against the Minnesota Lynx but the third quarter was crucial. The Sparks used intensity and tough defense to keep the Lynx from making a run and coming back.
“We’ve been up at halftime in the last four or five games we have lost at home.” Candace Parker said. “The third quarter, to us, was huge. We came out and answered that.”
Parker finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Sparks to a dominating 79-57 win over the defending champion Lynx Thursday night at the Staples Center. It was Parkers’ ninth double-double of the season.
Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles #34 being double teamed during the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 2, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
The Sparks defense held the Lynx to a season low in total points and made defensive stops from beginning to end. Both teams know each other well, having played 20 times in the last three years.
“I think it all starts with the defensive end,” Sparks coach Brian Agler said. “We got off to a good start. We only gave up eight points in the first quarter and Candace was real aggressive early.”
Los Angeles took 20-8 lead after the first quarter and continued the dominance in the second quarter as Chelsea Gray dropped a no-look pass to Nneka Ogwumike for an easy layup and a 12-point lead.
Parker had 16 points and six rebounds in the first half and the Sparks led, 40-29, at halftime. Coming off her second ALL-Star appearance, Gray continues to shoot, penetrate and make plays.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Alana Beard #0 during the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 2, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
“I was taking what the defense gave me,” Gray, who added 18 points and nine rebounds, said. “Once we are getting stops and playing in transition, we are one of the best teams to do that.”
The Sparks sit at third place in the Western Conference standings with seven games left in the season and remain in the playoff hunt.
“Every game is very important,” Agler said. “We are going to try to get the highest seed possible.We got very good opponent in Phoenix coming in here on Sunday. Everytime someone wins or loses, the whole standings adjust so we have to get as many wins possible.”
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike #30 going to the basket during the Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 2, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
WNBA 2018: Dallas Wings vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on August 02, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Cappie Pondexter going strong to the basket for 2 of her 18 points during the Dallas Wings vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on August 02, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Indianapolis, IN – With active hands, feet and jumping the passing lanes, the Indiana Fever forced the Dallas Wings into 21 turnovers. The gameplan of defensive from the scouting report gave the Fever enough for a win.
“I liked our pace. Even when [Dallas] made one of their shots, we got back into our halfcourt and made them work on defense,” said coach Pokey Chatman, “We never let them get comfortable. We got the ball into our offensive in about 5 to 6 seconds usually and that forced them to run with us. I thought tempo helped us.”
The Fever’s offense had 6 players score in double figures in 84-78 victory for the teams’ fourth of the season.
WNBA 2018: Dallas Wings vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on August 02, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Cappie Pondexter scored a season-high 18 points for the Fever. This was her seven in 10 games with Indiana scoring in double-figures.
The key for Cappie is that she’s such a veteran. The key is having the ball in her hands,” said Chatman, “It’s not necessary for her to score it, but to control it.”
Liz Cambage lead the Wings with 37 points, 9 rebounds for her back to back 30 point games.
But without All Star Skylar Diggins-Smith all the Fever attention went to Cambage.
Liz Cambage in the paint during the Dallas Wings vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on August 02, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
“She’s a really great player, you can’t just expect to stop her, so our approach was throw bodies at her and make her work harder. One way to get to her is to make her work on the defensive end, too,” said Chatman, “We forced her into seven turnovers which I thought was big. She got her points, but we didn’t let anybody else break out and hurt us.”
The Fever youth is still growing up right before our eyes and this season comes close to an end. They have learned some great lessons from veterans and by playing more and more minutes on the court.
They will take on the New York Liberty Saturday afternoon and go for another victory.
Mattia de Schiglio of Juventus celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning penalty kick. (All Photos by Andrew Dinwiddie)
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA – Atlanta set another attendance record Wednesday night, this time for the MLS All Star Game, with an official total of 72,317. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said via a translator he “was very pleasantly surprised for the entire climate and the entire impression that we got. You know it’s not easy to put 70,000 people in a stadium.” Nonetheless, Atlanta United has routinely filled Mercedes Benz Stadium and hold the top five most highly attended games in MLS history.
Comfortable in front of his home supporters, Josef Martinez scored for the MLS All Stars in the 26th minute, assisted by Nacho Piatti, to even the score with Juventus at 1-1. After a Martinez header initiated a scramble inside the 6-yard box, the ball ricocheted to Piatti who headed it laterally from left to right across the goalmouth, where Martinez sprinted in from the right to head in the tying goal just over two Juventus defenders.
As the only goal-scorer for the MLS All Stars on the night, Martinez won the game MVP award. Asked how it felt to score the goal in front of the home fans, Martinez said via a translator “I feel very happy. It was a very important game with a very important opponent. I feel thankful for this week and to the other players and their efforts today.”
After a week of festivities, the MLS All Stars faced off against perennial Series A champions Juventus Wednesday night in Atlanta. Noteworthy match production included synchronized wristbands of flashing lights for fans, fire cannons, waterfall fireworks from the halo board, and light displays on the field. The host city also put on an inspiring week of events beginning Saturday with the MLS Block Party at Historic Fourth Ward Park and culminating with the game at the juggernaut Mercedes Benz Stadium Wednesday night.
Noteworthy All Star Week events included the kick-off MLS All Star Concert featuring 2 Chainz and Cheat Codes, MLS All-Star Community Day celebrating opening new soccer play spaces around the city and country, Juventus and MLS All Stars open training, the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star match, the MLS Homegrown Game vs Tigres UANL U-20s, the MLS Digital HQ including the MLS FIFA All-Star Challenge tournament, the Soccer Celebration, and, of course, the MLS All-Star Game.
MLS teams played last weekend, leaving little time to prepare for the challenging exhibition match. Martinez commented on the task faced: “There was a lot of pressure—beyond the fact that we had a very good opponent and we had to do well, it was an important game, especially at this caliber. We had never played together before, we only had 3 days to meet, but I think we looked good despite that.”
MLS All Star coach Tata Martino acknowledged devising tactics with the short timetable: “we know we have a responsibility to try and play in this game and not just contain and try to defend Juventus; this is a team of MLS All Stars, the best players in the league, chosen by the fans and by the coach, so we felt like we had a responsibility to really try and impose our own style on the game.” Indeed his team pressed high and counterattacked.
Separately he added “I think especially in the first half the team was able to get out on some really good counterattacks and take advantage of that and playing quickly to counter. Taking into account that we only had about two days together, I think everyone did an excellent job in the first half and in the second half.”
On the other side of the touchline, Juventus also played well, particularly defensively. Multiple scoring chances were cut off or saved by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. Even the MLS All Star goal required multiple shot attempts in the same series.
Offensively Juventus broke through in the 21st minute when the team worked the ball across from right to left advancing forward through midfield. Ultimately Matheus Pereira served a cross in from the left wing to Andrea Favilli at the near post. Favilli out-jumped the defense and headed the ball across MLS All Star goalkeeper Brad Guzan and inside the far post to take an early lead. Both Brad Guzan and later Zack Steffen also saved multiple quality shots on goal, as did Szczesny for Juventus.
Full time ended with a 1-1 draw that took the match to penalty kicks. Both teams took quality shots from the spot. Only Bradley Wright-Phillips’s shot landed just an inch or two too wide, knocking off the left goalpost. Mattia De Sciglio stepped up and buried the final shot for Juventus who won on penalties.
Next up, Juventus will continue preseason preparation for the Serie A season which begins August 18th against Chievo. The All Star Game falls in the middle of the MLS season, so players selected have limited recovery time. All Star Game MVP Josef Martinez and Atlanta United face last year’s MLS Cup champions Toronto FC on Saturday. Said Josef, “the team trained yesterday. We’ve personally had some long days, Monday especially we had a lot of appearances, but we had fun. It was my first All Star game and I think we maximized it to the fullest.”
Pre-game stance for Houston before the NFL Houston Texans vs Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017. (Photo Credit: Jevone Moore)
Kee Whetzel of Oregon State during the PAC-12 Football Media Day 2018. Live at Ray Dolby Ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Center in Los Angeles, Ca. on July 25, 2018 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Hollywood, CA – What would you do with a platform, some use it, some abuse it and some chose to just be quiet.
In today’s society many people have a platform and in the case of Oregon State linebacker Kee Whetzel chooses to wear a band that simply says 1 Corinthians 13 that talks about LOVE – FAITH – HOPE.
This small symbol allows Whetzel to express and proclaim his Faith. He also has a tattoo on his right bicep with it.
“If You Don’t Stand for Something, You’ll Fall for Anything,” Alexander Hamilton
It’s a breath of fresh air to see an athlete to take advantage of a platform like football.
We are all too familiar with the NFL players taking a knee for social injustices, that was led by Colin Kaepernick a few years back.
Some don’t want to admit it but Kaepernick’s stance narrowed down his opportunities to be back on a NFL roster. But while he had the platform before millions, he kneeled for others.
In Mexico City, John Carlos along with Tommie Smith they raised their fist with a black-glove and heads bowed to display America still had a long way to go back 1968.
Years later Carlos says, “I didn’t do anything special, I just had an opportunity.”
All throughout sports history you can look at different athletes using their platforms. There are tons of athletes who have started foundations for the youth to express that someone cares. These programs allow youth to see there is more to life than a few square blocks around them.
Next time you watch a NFL or College game look at their cleats or their wrist tape. You might find a scripture, or an area code depending on who it is.
Freedom of speech, expression is a great thing when we are allowed to use it. It takes courage to stand or push an agenda.
One thing I know, passionate people go hard for what they believe in.
Stand tall and use your platform; whether it’s big or small.
UCLA Theo Howard and Josh Woods during the PAC-12 Football Media Day 2018. Live at Ray Dolby Ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Center in Los Angeles, Ca. on July 25, 2018 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Hollywood, CA – The kickoff to an exciting PAC-12 season has begun with Media Day 2018 at Hollywood & Highland inside the Dolby Theater on Wednesday.
The day was action packed for the coaches, players, and the media who were on hand for this single day event. With everything going on in a few different places it was almost sensory overload. Luckily with the fun photo booth that was on hand was set up for Slow Motion.
With the addition of five new high profile coaches coming into the conference the coach talent level keep rising high and higher. Just imaging putting all twelve of them inside of a football think tank, nothing would be impossible.
Commissioner Larry Scott during the PAC-12 Football Media Day 2018. Live at Ray Dolby Ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Center in Los Angeles, Ca. on July 25, 2018 (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Kicking off the day was PAC-12 Commissioner Larry Scott giving us a view of the conference from 30,000 feet in the air across all sports.
“Last year, the Pac-12 brought home 12 NCAA Championships, more than twice the next highest conference, and that’s in addition to ten runner-up finishes on top of that, said Scott, “The total number of Pac-12 Championships now stands at 513. We’ve led the nation in NCAA titles for 13 straight years, 17 of the last 18 years, and 52 of the last 58 years.”
Each team brought along two players to represent their school to the media on hand. It was a resounding sound bite, I’m honored and glad to be here.
Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith
Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal
Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
PAC-12 Football Media Day
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly
On the field this year in College Football there were some rule changes and a big one was on Special Teams. With the change in fair catch that can neutralize a great return specialist.
Fair catch of free kicks
If a player on Team B makes a fair catch, the ball becomes dead where caught and belongs to Team B on that spot.
If a free kick is caught behind a team’s 25-yard line, the ball belongs to the receiving team at its own 25-yard line. The ball will be put in play midway between the hash mark unless relocated before the play clock is at 25 seconds.
So anytime a kick is short of end zone make sure fair catch because you will get ball at 25. This can be a big switch in field position.
The PAC-12 this year has some key matchups with other Power 5 conferences to allow for some explosive football for the country to see.
BIG NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE GAMES
Sept 1 Oregon State at Ohio State Sept 1 Washington at Auburn
Sept 8 UCLA at Oklahoma Sept 8 Colorado at Nebraska
Sept 8 Michigan St at Arizona St Sept 15 USC at Texas
Stay tune for the best sound bites form the coach’s during media day.
July 26, 2018 Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela #10 during the Los Angeles Football Club vs LA Galaxy at BANC OF CALIFORNIA Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca on July 26, 2018. Jevone Moore
July 26, 2018 Los Angeles, CA.Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Tyler Miller #1 stopping a goal during Los Angeles Football Club vs LA Galaxy at BANC OF CALIFORNIA Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca. Jevone Moore
Los Angeles, CA- A bitter rivalry is brewing in Los Angeles. The rematch almost played out like the first one. The 22,000 fans in attendance cheered hysterically as LAFC and the Los Angeles Galaxy played to the very end.
Similar to their first matchup, LAFC blew a 2-0 lead they had for more than 80 minutes. The Galaxy notched two late goals to equalize it, 2-2, on Thursday night at Banc of California Stadium.
“We have ourselves to blame again,” LAFC coach Bob Bradley said. “If our football continues in the right way, if we still make the right passes, we get the third goal. It’s on us.”
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Romain Alessandrini #7 celebrates during the Los Angeles Football Club vs LA Galaxy at BANC OF CALIFORNIA Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca on July 26, 2018. Jevone Moore
In the first match at the StubHub Center, Galaxy scored three goals in the final 20 minutes to win, 4-3. In tonight’s rematch, the Galaxy scored twice in the final 10 minutes to steal a point.
LAFC defender Walker Zimmerman said it’s a rivalry and they let down the fans. It’s something we grow from, he added.
“Had a good 80 minutes,” Zimmerman said. “But their chances came off our mistakes. Mentality is something we’ll have to work on.”
Los Angeles FC defender Walker Zimmerman #25 on header during the Los Angeles Football Club vs LA Galaxy at BANC OF CALIFORNIA Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca on July 26, 2018. Jevone Moore
LAFC controlled most of the match and continued to apply pressure while doing well to defend Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first half.
Los Angeles FC got on the board in the seventh minute with Carlos Vela’s header in the center of the box. Adama Diomande saved the ball from going out of bounds on the right side and crossed it inside the box where Vela slammed it passed the goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.
Mark Anthony-Kaye won a free kick when he was fouled by Galaxy’s Perry Kitchen but was injured in the process. Eduardo Atuesta came in for Anthony-Kaye and as soon as the referee blew the whistle, Lee Nguyen’s free kick curled into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
“We have a lot to learn and improve,” Vela said. “We at an important moment in the season and we want to do good things, we have to be a better team.”
The Galaxy cut the lead in the 82nd minute when Romain Alessandrini fired a shot into the left post passed Taylor Miller. A minute later, Miller made a diving save on a close-range shot by Ola Kamara.
Los Angeles FC midfielder Lee Nguyen #24 celebrating a goal during the Los Angeles Football Club vs LA Galaxy at BANC OF CALIFORNIA Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca on July 26, 2018. Jevone Moore
In his first Major League Soccer appearance, newly acquired 21-year-old Andre Horta made a bad pass into his own defensive half that was intercepted by Kamara who dribbled around Taylor to send the shot into an empty net.
“We had plenty of chances to get the third goal,” Bradley said. “Let’s not let the whole discussion to turn into a poor back pass at 2-1.”
LAFC remains in second place in the Western Conference with 36 points while the Galaxy sit in fourth place with 32 points.
“LAFC was the better team but we got chances and we took care of those chances,” Ibrahimovic said. “One point in the end is a good result for us.”
Colorado Buffalos vs Washington Huskies at Levi's Stadium on December 2, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Jake Browning (3) of the Washington Huskies throwing on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 news)
For Immediate Release // Wednesday, July 25, 2018
LOS ANGELES – WASHINGTON was chosen the favorite to win the 2018 Pac-12 Conference football title in a vote of 42 media members who cover Pac-12 football. The Huskies received 37 votes to earn the preseason nod over defending Pac-12 Champion USC. The Huskies garnered 40 first-place votes to hold down the top spot in the Pac-12 North Division, while USC tallied 22 first-place votes to edge out UTAH (14 first-place votes) to win the South Division.
Washington (249 points) was the overwhelming selection to capture the North Division ahead of STANFORD (198) and OREGON (178), which each picked up single votes to win the division.
USC Trojans at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 2, 2017. (Photo by William Johnson / fi360 News)
The media expects the South Division to provide a competitive race with USC (225) topping Utah (209) and ARIZONA (178), which picked up three first-place votes. UCLA collected two votes, and COLORADO one vote, to represent the South Division in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
The media has correctly selected the Conference Champion in 30 of 57 previous polls, but only three times in the last 11 polls. Following are the results of the preseason media poll (points 6-5-4- 3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses):
North Division
South Division
School
Points
School
Points
1. Washington (40)
249
1. USC (22)
225
2. Stanford (1)
198
2. Utah (14)
209
3. Oregon (1)
178
3. Arizona (3)
178
4. California
108
4. UCLA (2)
116
5. Washington State
98
5. Colorado (1)
80
6. Oregon State
45
6. Arizona State
72
PAC-12 TITLE GAME CHAMPION: Washington (37 votes) Others receiving votes: USC (2), Oregon (1), Stanford (1), UCLA (1)
The 2018 Pac-12 Football Championship Game will take place Friday, Nov. 30 and will be telecast to a national audience on FOX at 5 p.m. PT. The Championship Game will match the winner of the North Division vs. the winner of the South Division at Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Breanna Stewart making a move during the Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on July 24, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Kelsey Mitchell at the top of the key during the Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on July 24, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Indianapolis, In – The Indiana Fever got hot late in the 4th quarter to pull within eight points at 72-80 with 2:05 left on the clock. Then that lapse of concentration jumped out as the Seattle Storm went on 12-0 run to win 92-72 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
All season this team shows flashes of greatness but just can’t keep the focus for the full 40 minutes of play.
“We didn’t finish the game, we fizzled, and I’m extremely disappointed,” said Fever coach Pokey Chatman.
Breanna Stewart shooting over Stephanie Mavunga Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on July 24, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Seattle was led Breanna Stewart with 26 points, 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season.
This season has been a good learning experience for the Fever rookies.
Kelsey Mitchell had the hot hand scoring 26 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
“It speaks volumes to her gift,” said Chatman about Mitchell, “That is the part of her game that will always garner the most attention. But beyond that, I’m happy with the progress she has made in other facets of her game.”
Candice Dupree making space during the Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on July 24, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
The consistent Fever veteran Candice Dupree knocked down 14 points while pulling down 12 rebounds in losing effort.
“Yeah. I mean we just kind of gave up the last two minutes,” said Dupree, “We’ve got to be better. We can’t relax at the end. Because I think two minutes out we were down by like nine points or something like that and we lose by 20. So we can’t let that happen.”
The next stop for these teams will be WNBA All-Star break for the first and last place teams at this point in the season.
Fever Cappie Pondexter on the wing during the Seattle Storm vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Field House on July 24, 2018 Indianapolis Indiana. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley (26) of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly / fi360 News)
Trace McSorley (9) of the Penn State Nittany Lions running during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.(Photo by Leon Bennett/fi360 News)
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2018 football preseason honors on Monday in conjunction with the start of Big Ten Media Days at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. A media panel selected the 10-member preseason list, with five representatives each from the East and West Divisions.
Ohio State fielded a pair of honorees on the East Division roster, while Penn State was represented by senior quarterback and unanimous selection Trace McSorley. The Buckeyes were represented by junior defensive end Nick Bosa and sophomore running back J.K. Dobbins. Michigan junior defensive lineman Rashan Gary and Michigan State junior quarterback Brian Lewerke rounded out the East Division lineup. McSorley garnered Big Ten football preseason honors for the second consecutive season.
Wisconsin paced the West Division with two standouts selected. The Badgers saw senior linebacker T.J. Edwards and sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor earn recognition. Iowa junior tight end Noah Fant, Nebraska senior wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr., and Northwestern sophomore linebacker Paddy Fisher completed the West Division honorees. Fant, Morgan Jr., Fisher, Edwards and Taylor garnered Big Ten football preseason honors for the first time in their careers.
Ohio State #97 Bosa in the Cotton Bowl. (Photo by Jerry Kelly / fi360 News)
The 2018 Big Ten preseason honors list features the reigning Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year in Bosa and the returning Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year in Taylor, who are among nine All-Big Ten selections on the squad. Bosa, Edwards, Gary and Taylor were first-team All-Big Ten picks last year. Other second- and third-team All-Conference honorees last year who made this year’s preseason honors list include Dobbins, Fant, Fisher, McSorley and Morgan Jr.
The full list of Big Ten football preseason honorees is as follows:
EAST DIVISION Rashan Gary, Jr., DL, MICH Brian Lewerke, Jr., QB, MSU Nick Bosa, Jr., DE, OSU J.K. Dobbins, So., RB, OSU TRACE MCSORLEY, SR., QB, PSU
WEST DIVISION Noah Fant, Jr., TE, IOWA Stanley Morgan Jr., Sr., WR, NEB Paddy Fisher, So., LB, NU T.J. Edwards, Sr., LB, WIS Jonathan Taylor, So., RB, WIS
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker #3 in traffic during the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on July 1, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler #17 making a move during the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on July 1, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Los Angeles, CA- The Los Angeles Sparks lost a close one to the Indiana Fever 78-76 Friday night at Staples Center. Friday’s win for the Fever ends a 5 game losing skid.
Los Angeles Candace Parker led all scores with 24 points, also tacking on 12 rebounds. Teammate Jantel Lavender added 23 points but it wasn’t enough for the Sparks.
“Obviously our team has to play with a purpose, and down the stretch we want to go to certain people,” said Lavender, “With my scoring in the first half I think that I can keep us in the game, but I guess down the line we want to have the game in Candace’s hands and Chelsea’s hands.”
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker #3 in the lane during the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on July 1, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Candice Dupree and Cappie Pondexter led the Fever with 16 points each. Natalie Achonwa chipped in with 15 points and 9 rebounds.
“Cappie came in and had a tremendous game. She did what Cappie does, so we weren’t surprised by anything,” said Alana Beard, “She’s in a system now where she is able to flow, and she’s playing the game that she likes to play.”
The Sparks started the 4th quarter trailing 66-54. After two back-to-back layups for Los Angeles, the Sparks found themselves down just 4 with 5:08 left in the game. The Fever extended its lead to 77-70 with 2 minutes remaining.
A Parker layup and a Chelsea Gray jump shot brought the Sparks within 3 points with 27 seconds to go. Los Angeles had one last chance to tie the game but an Essence Carson jump shot was no good and the Fever were able to hold on.
“Obviously when you’ve struggled the way we’ve struggled all year, it’s nice to get any win,” said Fever coach Pokey Chatman, “We didn’t quite close it out in the fashion that left anything to be desired, and it was a nail-biter at the end but overall, we handled their runs.”
Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker #3 to the rack during the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on July 1, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Unlike most of their contests, the Sparks got rolling early and led 23-15 after the first quarter. The fever battled back and hung with the Sparks the remainder of the first half and went into halftime trailing 40-37.
The Sparks hit the road for a matchup with the Chicago Sky on Sunday.
Los Angeles has lost 4 straight games at home. Its next opportunity to end that streak is Tuesday night when Atlanta Dream comes into town.
