Los Angeles – Double-doubles from Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby and a strong third quarter paved the way for the Los Angeles Sparks’ 89-72 win over the Portland Fire Sunday, for just their second home win of the season.
Ogwumike had 20 points and 17 rebounds and Hamby, 22 points and 12 rebounds to help the hosts snap a three-game losing streak and in turn, hand the visitors their third consecutive loss. Megan Gustafson lead the way for Portland, with 16 points.
The Fire went into halftime with a 43-41 advantage. But LA opened the third quarter on a tear, forcing their opponents into nine turnovers, stealing the ball six times, and outscoring them 23-12. Portland never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said her team didn’t do anything at halftime but “lock into the game plan.”
“I’m proud of their effort defensively,” she said. “When we focus on the discipline in doing the little things for each other, that’s when you build trust. (Tonight) it was us choosing to do it for 40 minutes.”
Ogwumike said the team focused on execution and defense – especially at the beginning of the third period.
“We bought into that and started getting stops,” she said. “We were motivated and we were playing for each other. Offense is offense, but defense is really where it’s at. And I think we did a good job of not leaving any gas in the tank on defense.”
Fire coach Alex Sarama called the game, “a tale of two halves,” and said his team became frustrated by their turnovers – three of which occurred in the first minute of the third quarter.
“It didn’t feel like we were palms down players….it felt like there were times when we were palms up,” he said. “That lead to the spiral we saw in the third.”
Sarah Ashlee Barker, who had six points and seven assists, said the team got frustrated with the turnovers.
“Who we are as a team is togetherness and relentlessness, and when things didn’t go our way, we soaked in it and went our separate ways,” she said.
Sarama said he challenged the team in the locker room for the first time this season, because “I trust them so much and I know what they’re capable of.”
Gustafson said part of the issue for Portland is that they are the only team that has played 13 games so far, which has left them too little time to regroup.
“We are one of the teams who haven’t had a few days off in between games to practice,” she said. “On the one hand…..it’s good. But in our situation, we’ve had a few games where we realize we have things to work on.”
Barker said she and her teammates look forward to the practice time, as they don’t play again until Thursday.
“Being able to stay together and connected is what’s going to win us games, and we’re going to get back to it, because that’s what Portland basketball is,” Barker said.
