Nneka Ogwumike’s 27 points lift Los Angeles past Seattle 92-85
Los Angeles Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike (F) left- handed layup is being challenged by Seattle Storm # 13 Ezi Magbegor (F) at the Cyrpto.com Arena. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1
LOS ANGELES, CA - Nneka Ogwumike scored 27 points and 11 rebounds to help lead the Los Angeles Sparks past the Seattle Storm 92-85 at the Cyrpto.com Arena.
Jewell Loyd tied her career mark with 8-three pointers in the game and scored 37 points, but the Sparks' defense, with 13 steals and free throws down the stretch, kept the Storm from making a comeback.
The Sparks led 8-7 with a jump shot in the paint by Layshia Clarendon in the first quarter. Seattle would lead 10-8 with a three-pointer by Kia Nurse. Nneka Ogwumike would tie the game 10-10 with a pass from Jordin Canada for a layup. The first quarter would end with the score tied 16-16.
The Storm led 27-23 in the second quarter with a three-pointer by Jewell Loyd. Los Angeles would trail by one point, 29-28, with a three-pointer by Lexie Brown, forcing Seattle to call a timeout.
Canada would tie the game 33-33 with a three-pointer from the top of the key. Chiney Ogwumike, with a turn-around jump shot, made the score 39-39 at halftime.
Seattle Storm # 24 Jewell Loyd (G) attempting a three-point shot in front of her bench. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
The Sparks led 52-49 in the third quarter with a jump shot by Nneka Ogwumike. Seattle would lead 57-55 with a three-pointer by Loyd.
Brown would knock down a three-pointer in front of her bench to give the Sparks a 60-57 lead, and the Storm called a timeout. The Sparks led 65-59 at the end of the third quarter.
Brown gave the Sparks a 72-61 lead in the fourth quarter with a three-point shot, and the Storm called another timeout. Loyd kept the Storm in the game with another three-pointer making the score 72-66, and the Sparks called a timeout.
Nneka Ogwumike would make two free throws to give the Sparks a 78-71 lead with 4:31 left in the game. The Sparks led 84-74 after a three-pointer by Clarendon.
Seattle wouldn't lay down, as Jade Melbourne would knock down a three-pointer, and Phoenix now trial 86-82 with 1:42 left in the game, and the Sparks called a timeout.
Late free throws by Canada and Nneka Ogwumike would seal the game for the Sparks with a 92-85 victory and improving their record to (3-2), and the Storm fell to (0-4).
Clarendon finished the game with 16 points, Chiney Ogwumike with 15 points, and Lexie Brown with 14 points, but Canada, with two key plays late in the game, kept Seattle at bay, had 9 points, and seven assists.