Chelsea Gray launches a shot. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Sparks clamped down to run away from the Indiana Fever, 80-62 Monday night.
Chelsea Gray led four Sparks in double figures with 16 points; Nneka Ogwumike added 14 points and 12 rebounds; Candace Parker, 14 points and nine rebounds; and Riquna Williams scored 10 points. It was the Fever’s fifth straight loss.
After a close first quarter, Los Angeles went on a 16-2 run in the second to inflate their lead, and their defense allowed Indiana only 12 points in the third period. The visitors went on a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull within nine points, but a Gray jumper and a steal and bucket by Williams put them back up by nine, and they didn’t look back.
Briann January scored 12 points for Indiana, and Erica Wheeler and Candice Dupree each added 11.
Sparks coach Brian Agler was pleased with his team’s second consecutive win, though he said they have work to do.
Erica Wheeler drives through the Sparks offense. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
“I was really happy with the way we played defensively in the second half,” he said. “We moved the ball well, but we are still getting better. We are still trying to figure out our rotations a little bit.”
Fever coach Pokey Chatman said Los Angeles doesn’t get enough credit for the potency of their defense.
“I was pleased with some of the looks we got, and we didn’t complete some of (our) plays,” she said. “I thought we could have taken care of the ball a little bit better. We battled early on, but it just wasn’t enough. They are a team that the second you make a mistake, they punish you.”
Nneka Ogwumike snags a rebound. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
The Sparks convene at midcourt as Natalie Achonwa was fouled. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Nneka Ogwumike questions a foul call. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candice Dupree swings the ball. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Marissa Coleman slaps hands with Erica McCall, while Erlana Larkins looks on. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Riquna Williams guards Erica Wheeler. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Tiffany Mitchell keeps an eye on the play. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Riquna Williams has a word with Candace Parker. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Erica McCall and Jantel Lavender battle for the box out. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker spies a rebound. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Erica McCall scores two of her eight points on the night – a career-high for the rookie. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker looks for the outlet pass. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Nneka Ogwumike and Erlana Larkins both look for the rebound. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Briann January prepares to launch a shot. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Marissa Coleman looks to get around Nneka Ogwumike. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Nneka Ogwumike sizes up a pass. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sparks members help up teammate Chelsea Gray. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Chelsea Gray exults after scoring. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Nneka Ogwumike battles to score in the paint. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Fever reserves react in disbelief to a foul call. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker goes up to score. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Chelsea Gray no-look passes to Candace Parker. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker scores at will. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Riquna Williams gets by Candice Dupree for the bucket. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Tiffany Mitchell and Riquna Williams battle under the basket. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Jantel Lavender has played a crucial role off the bench for the Sparks. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker gets the ball by Natalie Achonwa. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Erica Wheeler and Candace Parker both spy the ball at the same time. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Sydney Wiese looks to pass out of defensive pressure. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Nneka Ogwumike initiates the drive to the basket. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Alana Beard surpassed 4,500 career steals in the match up. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker had 14 points and nine rebounds in the game. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker is pleased after scoring. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker is greeted by eight-year-old daughter Lailaa after the game. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
Candace Parker and daughter Lailaa have their customary post-game words. Photo by Maria Noble/WomensHoopsWorld.
