Candace Parker leads as Los Angeles Sparks edge past Washington Mystics in overtime 86-82 – WNBA Recap
On Tuesday night, Candace Parker scored a team high 19 points, including go-ahead lay-up with 38.9 seconds to go in overtime, as Los Angeles Sparks defeated Washington Mystics 86-82 at Verizon Center.
It was the second consecutive victory for Sparks, who are fifth in the Western Conference with a 12-15 record. They are now just one and half game behind San Antonio Silver Stars for the fourth and final spot for the payoffs. On
the other hand, it was sixth straight loss for the Mystics.
Parker also grabbed nine rebounds, dished out five assists, blocked five shots and stole the ball three times. The 25-year-old forward, in her fifth game after returning from a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee, shot 5 for
12 from the field and 8 for 13 from free throw line.
Tina Thompson recorded a double-double with a game best 10 rebounds and 15 points. Thompson also had three steals and ended with 6 for 12 from the floor. DeLisha Milton had 13 points, five steals and four rebounds while Noelle
Quinn came off the bench with 11 points and two steals in the victory.
Washington’s forward Crystal Langhorne led all the scorers with 28 points on a 13 for 23 shooting from the field. Langhorne also contributed nine rebounds and three assists in the loss. Matee Ajavon totalled 14 points, four rebounds
and two steals while DeMya Walker ended with 12 points and six rebounds for Mystics.
Los Angeles shot 49.2 percent (32 for 65) from the field and held the Mystics shot just 44.0 percent (33 for 75). Washington committed 17 turnovers while the visiting team committed just 13.
Milton-Jones scored 11 of her points in the first quarter as Los Angeles carried a 23-19 lead into the second. Both teams scored 18 points each in the second quarter and the Sparks maintained their four-point lead, 41-37, at halftime.
Los Angeles held Washington to just 11 points in the third quarter and stretched their lead to nine points, 57-48. The Mystics outscored Sparks 23-14 in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 71, sending the game into overtime.
In a tightly contested O.T., Miller hit a brilliant shot from downtown at 01:09 to put Mystics ahead by 80-79. Parker responded with a go-ahead basket and the Sparks never trailed for rest of the period.
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