The Sparks earned their first win of the season with a 99-95 victory over the Toronto Tempo. All five starters scored in double figures, producing the team’s best offensive output of the season at 63.8% shooting. The Tempo narrowed the game late, trailing by two points with 31 seconds remaining and gaining possession after a missed three by Marina Mabrey. Late fouls gave the Sparks enough cushion to secure the win. Kelsey Plum led with 27 points and nine assists, while Nneka Ogwumike added 20 points and Dearica Hamby contributed 19 points and seven rebounds. Erica Wheeler started for Ariel Atkins and added 10 points and seven assists, helping drive an efficient offense. The Sparks dominated the paint with 54 points and built leads early, including a 17-2 run and a 46-38 halftime advantage.
"Behind double-digit scoring from all five starters, the Sparks had by far their best offensive showing of the season, shooting 63.8% during a 99-95 win over the expansion Toronto Tempo. The Tempo didn't make things easy, cutting the deficit to two points late and later trailing by just three with 31 seconds remaining and possession of the ball. Marina Mabrey missed a three-point attempt before late Tempo fouls gave the Sparks enough of a cushion to take the win."
"Kelsey Plum nearly claimed a double-double with 27 points and nine assists, while Dearica Hamby had 19 points with seven rebounds and Nneka Ogwumike scored 20 points. Erica Wheeler, who started in place of Ariel Atkins (concussion), scored 10 points with seven assists and was +16 as the primary ball hander after starting the season two for 16 from the field. That freed up Plum to be in position to score, setting up a much more efficient Sparks offense."
"Toronto was shorthanded in the frontcourt without starting center Temi Fagbenle (right shoulder), and the Sparks trio of bigs had a field day with 54 points in the paint. The Sparks came out firing on Friday, opening the game with a 17-2 run. The Tempo went on a 10-0 burst heading into the second quarter but the Sparks countered to maintain momentum and lead 46-38 at halftime."
"A Wheeler three-pointer early in the third quarter gave the Sparks a 20-point lead. The Tempo cut it to three midway through the fourth while Brittany Sykes (27 points, seven assists) sparked Toronto's rally. The Tempo put up more shots than the Sparks, 70-58, largely because of a 10-2 offensive-rebounding gap. Cameron Brink's 10 points were the only ones provided by the Sparks' bench, while the Tempo got 42 points from reserves."
Read at Los Angeles Times
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