2016 WNBA season scores: Sparks stay hot, win third straight


What post-Olympic break let down? The Los Angeles Sparks used a strong third quarter performance to create separation and hold off the Indiana Fever, 88-81 on Sunday for their third straight victory.

Nneka Ogwumike once again powered the Sparks with 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting, six rebounds, and eight assists. Kristi Toliver added 18 points including four triples. Candace Parker scored 19 points. The Sparks remained on top of the team standings with a 24-5 record, tied with the Minnesota Lynx which they shall face on Tuesday.

Los Angeles was efficient to open the game, making 10 of its first 13 field goal attempts. The Sparks then outscored Indiana, 26-13 in the third quarter. The team moved well, attacked the basket, and always looked for the open player once the Fever's defense messed up.

A triple by Ana Dabovic pushed the Sparks lead up to 67-50 in the third. The team went on to take as high as a 20-point margin, but the Fever fought back to cut the deficit down to single-digits.

The Fever scored eight unanswered points which included a three from Shenise Johnson and a put back from Tamika Catchings which made it only a 79-72 Sparks lead under the final two minutes.

But Essence Carson answered with a difficult lay-up on the other end before Parker and Ogwumike sealed the game with free throws.

The Sparks shot 57.4 percent overall, even hitting 41.2 percent from three-point area. The team also assisted 23 field goal makes. Indiana, in contrast, shot only 8-for-26 from long distance.

Indiana dropped to sixth spot with a 13-15 record but is still just two games behind the fourth seed. Erica Wheeler led the Fever with 20 points, her highest for the franchise. Johnson had 19 points including three from beyond the arc while Catchings added 16 points.

Sunday's scores:

 Washington Mystics 88, Dallas Wings 83


Tayler Hill scored 25 points including four from the outside and 9-for-10 from the line as the Mystics extended the Wings' losing streak up to 11 games.

Kia Vaughn had 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting off the bench, while Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and LaToya Sanders combined for 26 more points as Washington improved to 11-17, just half a game out of the playoff picture.

Skylar Diggins led Dallas with 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting and four assists. Rookie Aerial Powers had 21 points including 10-for-11 from the line, 10 boards, and three assists. The Wings are now 9-21.

Chicago Sky 97, San Antonio Stars 73


Elena Delle Donne once again tallied a remarkable performance, this time exploding for 35 points on 60 percent shooting as the Sky rose to fourth spot with a 15-13 record.

She also went 3-for-4 from long distance and had six rebounds and four assists. Cappie Pondexter, Imani Boyette, and Tamera Young all added 10 points apiece.

The Stars were officially eliminated from the playoff race with the loss. Monique Currie topscored with 20 points including a perfect 10-for-10 clip from the foul line. Moriah Jefferson added 18 points and three dimes.

Seattle Storm 91, Atlanta Dream 82


The Storm maintained hold of the eighth spot in the team standings with another win over a legitimate contender.

Breanna Stewart showcased her best game after the Olympics as she finished with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Sue Bird also had 23 points and shot 3-for-7 from three-point area.

A 32-16 third period gave the Storm a humongous lead and the team held on for the win. The Storm are now 12-17 with the win, half a game above the Mystics and a full game above the Connecticut Sun.

Angel McCoughtry paced the Dream with 32 points on 12-for-17 shooting. Tiffany Hayes added 20 points. Atlanta is now 14-14, fifth in the league standings and half a game behind the Sky for the one round bye incentive.

Los Angeles Sparks 88, Indiana Fever 81

 Minnesota Lynx 93, Connecticut Sun 79


The Lynx likewise rolled to their third straight win, beating the Sun behind 24 points from Maya Moore. Sylvia Fowles chipped in 18 points, eight rebounds, and five steals.

Five players finished in double-digits for the Sun, led by Alex Bentley's 16 points and six assists. Chiney Ogwumike and Jonquel Jones each had 14 points.

Connecticut is now 11-18 and in 10th spot, but remains in contention for the playoffs.

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