Sparks go to OT, then lose, 84-77
It was the story of the season, and, unfortunately for the Sparks, the ending didn’t change.
Christi Thomas celebrated her 25th birthday by scoring a team-high 18 points and pulling down a career-high 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as the Sparks fell to San Antonio, 84-77, in overtime Tuesday night in front of 6,748 at Staples Center.
Forward Sophia Young scored five of her 19 points in overtime as the Silver Stars broke a 69-69 tie at the end of regulation and handed the Sparks their seventh loss of the season in 10 games decided in overtime or by three points or fewer.
“Another good effort, but coming up short,” Thomas said. “It seems like that’s how all the games go for us. We work real hard and then lose by a few, or go into overtime and end up losing.”
San Antonio forward Vickie Johnson had 19 points and guard Becky Hammon had 18, including four free throws in the final seconds to help the Silver Stars put away the Sparks for good.
After the Silver Stars (20-11) scored the first basket of the fourth quarter, the Sparks went on a 9-2 run to tie the score, 65-65, following a breakaway layup by Sidney Spencer with 4:44 to play.
Tied again at 67 with 2:30 remaining after a LaToya Thomas putback of a missed shot by Christi Thomas, and at 69 after two free throws by Mwadi Mabika, the Silver Stars’ Camille Little missed a short jumper from the left side of the key and Spencer grabbed the rebound with 39.2 seconds left.
After a timeout, Sherill Baker took a hurried, off-balance eight-foot jump shot that ricocheted off the rim and out to Mabika near the free throw line. Mabika put up an awkward, driving layup attempt but missed off the glass.
With 2.5 seconds left, Johnson threw the ball inbounds to Young, but her shot from underneath the basket went around the rim and lipped out.