Sky fail to douse the Sparks in LA
August 25, 2009 by Max Rottenstein
Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie each had 21 points from the field as the LA Sparks' extended they winning streak to six by beating the Chicago Sky 75-63 at the Staples Center Tuesday night.
The Sky garnered an early lead in the first quarter and controlled the play into the third quarter, but the late-quarter defensive problems that have plagued the team at home seemed to follow them out to the west coast.
Behind 32-27, the Sparks came into the second half strong, going on numerous unanswered 8 and 9 point runs in the third and fourth quarters. This offensive onslaught was unmatched by the Sky's starting line; although Shyra Ely scored 16 point and went 5-for-11 from the field, Tamera Young and Dominique Canty each scored only two points, Canty putting up a weak 1-for-7 from the field on the night.
Compounding the Sky's defensive quagmire was the continued absence of Sylvia Fowles, who is still not certain to start in either of the upcoming games against New York.
Although this loss pushes the Sky's record to 13-and-15, below the .500 mark, they remain in fourth place and keep hopes alive of going to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
The Sky garnered an early lead in the first quarter and controlled the play into the third quarter, but the late-quarter defensive problems that have plagued the team at home seemed to follow them out to the west coast.
Behind 32-27, the Sparks came into the second half strong, going on numerous unanswered 8 and 9 point runs in the third and fourth quarters. This offensive onslaught was unmatched by the Sky's starting line; although Shyra Ely scored 16 point and went 5-for-11 from the field, Tamera Young and Dominique Canty each scored only two points, Canty putting up a weak 1-for-7 from the field on the night.
Compounding the Sky's defensive quagmire was the continued absence of Sylvia Fowles, who is still not certain to start in either of the upcoming games against New York.
Although this loss pushes the Sky's record to 13-and-15, below the .500 mark, they remain in fourth place and keep hopes alive of going to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.