Los Angeles, CA – The Connecticut Sun didn’t need to win but they took this 97-71 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks as a tune-up for the playoffs.
Sun center Jonquel Jones led the game with 18 points four of the five starters scoring in double digits. Jones pulled down 9 rebounds one shy of a double-double. Her backup Brionna Jones came off the bench to score 12 points and two rebounds.
The absence of a true center for the Sparks shows by the points in paint with the inside scoring at will.
Nneka Ogwumike (30) had a team high 14 points with only 1 rebound was not the correct recipe.
As the game continued the Sun just kept pushing the lead more and more with the Sparks not having an answer inside or outside. The Sun were up by 21 at half and never had to worry about the game being in danger.
“We just didn’t take care of the ball,” said Brittney Sykes on team having 21 turnovers in the game by the Sparks.
Former Sparks Odyssey Sims coming off the bench on the second lineup forced the action for the Suns to keep the game with the same cushion in the second period.
The Suns jumped out to 10-point lead to end the first quarter with 27-17 score. Guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) scored a quick five points to start the game out fast with center Jonquel Jones holding down the paint 6 points and 4 rebounds.
With the Sparks looking in from the outside 1.5 games back from a playoff spot now #11 in the WNBA. While the Connecticut Sun have already clinched a playoff spot today standing as #3 team. Now needing help along the way the Sparks must win these last three games to even smell the word playoffs.
“It’s not going to be easy,” said N. Ogwumike, “We have to play with max effort.”
The Sparks will have 48 hours to regroup and be ready to face the Sun again Thursday night to rebound and look to get a win. Tipoff will be at 7:30pm pst on Thursday August 11th.
