Los Angeles Sparks hand WNBA-worse Tulsa Shock their 15th consecutive defeat, 71-66 – WNBA Recap
On Tuesday night, Ticha Penicheiro posted a season-high 23 points as Los Angeles Sparks edged past Tulsa Shock 71-66 at Staples Center, handing the Shock their 15th consecutive defeat.
Penicheiro also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out seven assists and had two steals in the victory. The player finished with 7 for 10 from the field and 8 for 9 from free throw line. Jantel Lavender had 13 points while Tina Thompson
had 12 points and five rebounds for the Sparks, who have won just three of their previous ten games.
Tiffany Jackson once again led Tulsa with 18 points and five rebounds. Jackson shot 7 for 11 from the floor and 4 for 6 from the line. Liz Cambage came off the bench with 16 points on a 6 for 8 shooting from the floor and also
grabbed five rebounds. Sheryl Swoopes had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists in the loss.
Los Angeles shot 41 percent (25 for 61) from the field, 23.1 percent (3 for 13) from three-point range and 72 percent (18 for 25) from free throw line. Tulsa shot 43.3 percent (26 for 60) from the floor, 31.6 percent (6 for 19)
beyond the arc and 66.7 percent (8 for 12) from the line. Shock committed 16 turnovers as compared to just 10 by the Sparks, who outscored the visiting team 40-34 on the points in the paint.
Los Angeles got off to a good start and held a nine-point lead, 19-10, at the end of first quarter. Tulsa limited Sparks to just 12 points in the second quarter and trimmed their deficit to four, 31-27, at halftime.
Shock scored the first five points of the third quarter to take a 32-31 lead but Los Angeles reeled off 26-15 run in the ensuing passage and went ahead by 10 points, 57-47. Sparks maintained their advantage and held a 61-51lead
heading into the fourth.
Tulsa fought back in the fourth quarter and cut Sparks’ lead to three, 69-66, with 59 seconds to go however Penicheiro hit a pair of free throws with 23 ticks remaining to seal the victory for Los Angeles.
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