LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Sparks came out on top against the Dallas Wings 81-72, in a tough back-and-forth game Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Sparks win improved their record to 3-7 for the season and 1-2 for the Commissioner’s Cup games. The Wings fell to 3-6 for the season and 0-3 for the Commissioner’s Cup after last night’s loss.
Lexie Brown and Dearica Hamby put up outstanding numbers for the Sparks to secure the win. Hamby finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists, earning her eighth double-double in ten games. Brown contributed with 16 points, six assists, and two steals, surpassing 900 career points and achieving a career-high performance from three-point range.
“I haven’t really been able to get [shots] up in the last few games,” said Brown. “I was allowing the other team’s defense to dictate my offense. I just got more aggressive hunting for my shot.”
Rookie Cameron Brink recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Sparks’ bench played a huge role in last night’s win. Ten players logged double-digit minutes, adding 34 points off the bench.
“Every single person contributed while they were in,” said Sparks head coach Curt Miller. “The starters were challenged at halftime and played a lot better out of the gate in the third quarter to give us that momentum.”
Wings stars Arike Ogunbowale and Maddie Siegrist were standout performers for Dallas. Ogunbowale recorded 22 points but made only 10 of her 28 shots. Siegrist finished with 21 points, hitting 9 of her 11 shots.
The Wings got off to a quick start in the first quarter, going on a 7-0 run, but the Sparks had an answer. Brink got the offense going in the first quarter, scoring the first nine points. Brown hit two big threes and a smooth pull-up jumper to close the gap and secure a 23-20 lead as the first quarter concluded.
The Wings reclaimed the lead as the second quarter opened with an 8-2 run. Li Yueru countered the deficit with an easy jumper. Brink ended the quarter with a last-second buzzer-beater but found herself in early foul trouble with three fouls.
The Sparks battled the entire quarter, but the Wings concluded with a score of 44-38 going into halftime.
Ogunbowale shined opening the third quarter, but the Sparks fought back with defensive pressure and offensive chemistry. Rookie Rickea Jackson displayed her elite scoring ability and strength, tying the game at 56-56 with an assist from Brown.
Brink picked up her fourth foul in the third quarter. Siegrist hit a huge three-point shot in the corner, but Brown responded with a corner three with 1:30 to go in the third quarter.
The Wings won another quarter, making the score 63-61 going into the home stretch of the game.
The Sparks’ offensive execution got them their largest lead of the game, 74-67, with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Sparks capitalized on the Wings’ offensive challenges, maintaining a seven-point lead.
The Sparks will have a day of rest and host the defending champions Las Vegas Aces on Sunday June 9th at 6pm.
