Los Angeles, CA- The thrill of excitement was on display while Dearica Hamby kicked and screamed like a new born baby after making an And1 after a switch on defense and great entry pass. The Sparks then had 95-90 lead with 24 seconds.
This one play showed what they couldn’t do before, be patient and work the offense for the right play. The Sparks held on with the 98-93 victory to take 2/3 season series lead.
A’ja Wilson in the paint goes up strong with 15.2 on the clock to be the shot coach wanted to take the lead, but Sparks Stephanie Talbot drops a 7-footer to tie game 84-84 to send game to overtime.
“It means a lot to me (beat her old team),” said Sparks Hamby, “I feel I could have done better.”
In closing minutes, a technical foul was called on Sparks coach Miller, trying to do anything to motivate his team towards a victory. They did get offensive rebound to keep the ball in play allowing Hamby to be fouled and make 1 of 2 from the line making it 82-82 37 seconds.
The Sparks found themselves in a familiar place leading the game going into the 4th quarter with 70-60 lead on the Aces. Aari McDonald has been leading the way against the twin towers of Vegas. Her outside shooting has been keeping the defense little honest.
“We keep talking about building and we had lost by single possession before.” said Hamby
Wilson has been a force to recon with since Sparks have no real answer to stop her with 23 point in the first three quarters of play.
By the 5:40 left in the game the Aces had snatched the lead 75-74 from the Sparks. The Sparks at lease moved the ball around some and didn’t fall totally in love with the three-point line earlier in the shot clock like Tuesday night.
The three ball did tie game back 79-79 with Sparks Talbert hitting a key basket with less 3 minutes to play. While the Aces continued to pound the ball down low through Wilson to force defense to close down.
The tone of the game was established fast with Wilson blocking Aari McDonald who thought she had a clear lane to basket only to get blocked at the rim. Before Sparks coach Miller could call his first timeout the Sparks were down 7-0.
Sparks guard Rae Burrell came in off the bench early to give a spark and shot an three to get team to back to 7-7 game forcing Aces coach Hammon to call her first timeout for this game of runs.
The two-time defending WNBA champions Las Vegas came into todays game on a 6-game winning streak looking to push it 7. They are just one game behind Seattle for 4th spot in the league standings. Aces were more worried about getting these last few wins before the Olympic break.
The Sparks will have Saturday off before getting back on the court Sunday at 4pm verse Phoenix Mercury.
