Sparks’ Noelle Quinn scores 18 with Bill Walton sitting courtside

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With UCLA legend Bill Walton at Staples Center for the Sparks’ 98-89 loss against Phoenix on Tuesday, it would make sense for a former Bruin to want to prove herself.

A fan realized this midway through the third quarter as he shouted encouragement to Noelle Quinn, Los Angeles native and a member of the UCLA Class of 2007:

‘Come on, Noelle! Bill Walton’s in the house! UCLA, let’s go! He’s watching!’

Quinn, who had three points before the fan’s push, hit two straight 3’s shortly after and finished the game with 18 points.

She said she never heard the man - but that she did want to perform well for Walton and UCLA.

‘Of course I do, when a Hall-of-Famer and legend like that is in the building,’ she said. ‘But just every day, night in and night out, I try to represent UCLA, L.A., and my family the best I can.’

-- Laura Myers