Tulsa Shock end their 20 game losing skid; Down Los Angeles Sparks 77-75: WNBA Recap
Tulsa Shocks’ league-worse 20-game losing streak is a history, thanks to a crafty Sheryl Swoopes’ jumper with just 2 seconds remaining that gave them a 77-75 victory over the Los Angeles Spark on Friday night at Staples Center.
It was Tulsa’s only second victory in this season, who are already out of the playoff battle. Shock’s previous victory came at home against Washington Mystics on June 18.
Swoopes, a three-time league MVP and four-time champion, said of their great comeback victory, “I am sure no one gave us a shot to win this game,” “When you have one win, to win a game like this feels really good.”
The difference maker Swoopes ended the game 17 points, shooting 6 for 15 from the field, and nine rebounds.
Tulsa interim coach Teresa Edwards was in the seventh heaven with her first her first victory in 16 games since replacing Nolan Richardson on July 10, 2011. The 47-year-old was presented a game ball signed by her players.
“It is unreal. It is unbelievable,” Edwards, a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, said. “I was waiting to see if we were ever going to get one.”
Tiffany Jackson recorded a double-double with a team high 20 points and a game high 11 rebounds. Jackson shot 7 for 14 from the field and 6 for 8 from free throw line.
Ivory Latta tallied 18 points on an 8 for 11 shooting from the floor and stole the ball twice in the victory.
Los Angeles’ forward DeLisha Milton topped all the scorers with 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Tina Thompson had 16 points and three steals for the Sparks, who saw their two-game winning streak halted. Thompson pinned 4
of 8 shots from downtown in more than 32 minutes. Ticha Penicheiro dished out a game best 10 assists in the loss. The Sparks’ leading scorer Candace Parker contributed only seven points, snapping a 32-game streak of scoring in double-figures.
Tulsa shot 46.2 percent (30 for 65) from the field and limited Los Angeles to only 44.8 percent (30 for 67).
Los Angeles heated up early in the first quarter and held a ten-point lead, 26-16, with 01:43 to go in the quarter. Tulsa scored the last six points of the opening quarter and trimmed their deficit to four, 26-22, heading into
the second.
In the second quarter, the Sparks stretched their lead to seven points, 39-32. Tulsa responded with eight unanswered points and went ahead by 40-39 at halftime. Los Angeles outscored Tulsa 21-16 in the third quarter and converted
their one-point halftime deficit into a 60-56 lead.
Shock opened the last quarter on a 9-0 and went ahead by 65-60. Los Angeles made a great comeback in the next couple of minutes and held a 71-70 lead with 01:52 to go in the game. Tulsa scored the next four points of the game to
make it 74-71. Thompson’ running bank shot cut Tulsa’s lead to one, 74-73.
Jackson then hit a free throw to put Shock ahead by 75-73 but Milton-Jones drove to the rim and tied the game at 75. Swoopes made a brilliant jumper with just two ticks left to make it 77-75 for good. Milton-Jones missed a three-pointer
that could have given them the victory.
Tags: