Los Angeles, CA – The W is a place where you have to bring it and sustain it all night. The Los Angeles Sparks was able to turn a 14-2 start into a very satisfying 96-92 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
“A very satisfying win today,” said Sparks head coach Curt Miller.
Aces jumped out to 8-0 run causing Sparks coach Miller to call an earlier timeout to try and regroup his team. We don’t what coach said to the Sparks but in the end it was enough.
Sparks Forward Derica Hamby continue to be a main driving force leading the team again with 18 points 10 rebounds along with 5 assists.
A huge part of todays comeback was the Sparks bench who scored 40 points led by guard Aari McDonald 16 points and just directing the team into good situations.
“It was an inter team victory,” said Miller “everyone contributed in their on way.”
The defending champions Aces coming off a loss Friday night to the hands of the Seattle Storm were looking for victory.
You could see the frustration of the Aces looking for the referees to have more favorable calls. They seem to be worrying about the wrong thing and losing track of just making more plays. Coach Becky Ham was allowing some of her stars more rest realizing that they have a big advantage over the Sparks.
It got so bad from Aces viewpoint that Aja Wilson went after referee verbally and to back her up her coach went after the other referee resulting in both getting technical fouls. Sparks Lexi Brown shot the two technical foul shots to stretch lead 74-65 at end of the 3rd quarter.
Halfway between the 4th quarter the Aces started to relax and guard Tiffany Hayes drove and to basket for and one to 78-77 with 5:25 left in the game trailing. Two possessions later the Plum dropped a three to take an 80-78 lead. At this point it was all down to who wanted it more.
Aces A’Ja Wilson 31 points, 8 rebounds was just not enough to take this game into the win column.
“Everybody stepped up.. we stay composed,” said Hamby “We can’t keep digging ourself in a hole.”
It was a noticeable difference today with the Sparks being able to hand the physicality of the game and made the quicker adjustment to how the game was being officiated. Sparks crashed the boards out rebounding the Aces by 13 without have a true big to match Wilson.
Now the Sparks will enjoy the victory and head out for a 7 game road trip for the month of June.
