Erica Wheeler scored eight points in the final 70 seconds as the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Washington Mystics 92-87 on Friday night, with Nneka Ogwumike recording 20 points and 11 rebounds.
WASHINGTON — Erica Wheeler didn’t need much time; she needed the last 70 seconds.
With the Washington Mystics pressing for every possession, Wheeler scored eight of her 21 points down the stretch, helping the Los Angeles Sparks close out a 92-87 victory on Friday night.
Ogwumike finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, moving into sixth place on the WNBA’s career rebounding list with 3,312. She also set a franchise milestone for the Sparks with a record 2,339 made field goals. In doing so, Ogwumike passed Lisa Leslie, whose totals for Los Angeles included 2,332 field goals and 3,307 career rebounds.
The Sparks had a steady first half before taking command late. Cameron Brink matched her season high with 16 points, 14 in the first half, including a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left that gave Los Angeles a 42-37 lead at the intermission.
Dearica Hamby added 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Sparks. Kelsey Plum, the WNBA’s leading scorer at 26.8 per game, did not play for Los Angeles because of an illness and right ankle.
Washington fought back near the finish. Shakira Austin made two free throws that tied the game at 81-all with 2:07 to play. Ogwumike answered with a 3-pointer, and Wheeler then closed it out.
Austin led the Mystics with 25 points and 10 rebounds, recording her fourth double-double this season. Sonia Citron scored 15 of her 21 in the second half and added eight assists, while Kiki Iriafen had 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Mystics shot well early, going 52% from the field in the first half even while going 3 of 12 from 3-point range. Washington scored 25 points in the first quarter but managed just 12 in the second.
Los Angeles (4-3) will play Saturday at Connecticut. Washington (3-4) is next scheduled to host Chicago on Tuesday.
WNBA Sparks Mystics Erica Wheeler Nneka Ogwumike Cameron Brink Dearica Hamby Shakira Austin Sonia Citron Kiki Iriafen
So she scored the last 70 seconds?? That’s wild.
I love when they say “late surge” like it’s a movie. 92-87 is close though, Mystics probably shoulda won if Plum was just out of illness or whatever.
Wait I thought Lisa Leslie was the rebound queen… but it says Ogwumike passed her on field goals? Idk the article is mixing stats, I’m confused. Congrats to the Sparks though.
Wheeler scored 8 in the last 70 seconds and it “sealed” it… but didn’t Washington tie it at 81 all with free throws? Sounds like refs decided it or something, because 92-87 is only 5 points, and free throws are always where it flips.