Long Beach, CA – How fitting that one of the last plays of the game was rookie Cameron Brink clogged up the paint and didn’t allow Shakira Austin a clean look at the basket to secure the game. The Sparks now have broken through the win column.
“We need this one bad, said Lexi Brown. She led the team tonight with 20 points along with 5 assists.
The Sparks left Long Beach victorious with a 70-68 final in a must win game. This team found a way to win shooting 47.3% from the field with a season high 28 turnovers that lead to 26 points for the Mystics.
“More turnovers than basket and win, said Sparks coach Curt Miller, “Proud of the team in this first win.”
Brown was fouled and dropped in both of her free throws along with Kia Nurse going ½ with 7.6 seconds. The game was so tight every free throw was a must. The team shot 66.7% from the line to help.
The 3rd quarter was held down by Darica Hamby with 13 points to keep her team alive on 5/5 from the floor.
Julie Vanloo for the Mystics scored 12 points, 50 % from three point along with 9 assists to keep her team fighting. Forward Shakira Austin also poured in 12 points with 7 rebounds.
Down the stretch both teams fighting hard, with only .59 seconds left the Sparks held a 67-66 lead. Then referee called for an official review for defensive foul on Mystics guard Julie Vanloo that was ruled no foul. The next possession Vanloo turned the ball over that allowed coach Miller to call a full timeout with .52 seconds that was wasted by a Sparks turnover.
“Communication and a will to stay in plays and being discipline,” said Miller was a reason for this victory.
It was that type of game back and forth and not clean basketball on the court. At the half the Mystics lead 36 – 32 after allowing a last three pointer to finish on a high note.
Both teams came into this game with a rough start searching for that 1st victory of the season. They both have played well enough but haven’t put a complete game together till tonight.
The Sparks will return to their official home court at Crypto Arena on Friday May 24th verse Indiana Fever with the new league princess Caitlin Clark.
