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The Los Angeles Sparks rode a scorching start to an 83-72 preseason victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night at The Pit.
Forward DeLisha Milton-Jones led a sextet of Sparks in double-figures with a game-high 14 points to go along with six boards as Los Angeles completed a perfect 2-0 preseason. Guard Marie Ferdinand-Harris, signed in the off-season from the Sparks, was among a trio of Mercury players to notch 12 points. Phoenix finished the preseason 1-1.
"I'm very pleased with my team tonight" said Sparks head coach Jennifer Gillom, "I thought the energy was there, the aggressiveness was there, and tonight told me a lot."
Candace Parker's steal and behind-the-back assist to guard Kristi Toliver highlighted the Los Angeles' 8-0 run to open a game it never trailed. The lead ballooned to 26-11 on a Jenna O'Hea jumper with 15 seconds left in the first quarter, and the Sparks then took a 48-37 advantage into the locker room..
Phoenix closed within six points thanks to a 5-0 run to open the third before guard Toliver took over, scoring 8 of her 12 points in the third quarter, including a three-pointer and driving layup.
"We got up-and-down the court in the high altitude, and that was the goal for this preseason game," Toliver said. "I think we accomplished what we needed to heading into the regular season."
Los Angeles amassed its biggest margin of the game at 74-56 with 7:44 remaining before the Mercury made things interesting with a late run, scoring the next 11 points including six from Sanni Olayinka. They got as close as 76-72 with 2:36 to play on Ketia Swainer's three-pointer, but like its first preseason game Wednesday vs. Seattle, Los Angeles closed with a flurry. The Sparks scored the final seven points of the evening, four courtesy of forward Ebony Hoffman.
Los Angeles will need to trim its 13-player roster to 11 on Thursday, June 2 before opening the regular season the following night. On Thursday, June 3 at 8 p.m., the Sparks host the Minnesota Lynx and No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick Maya Moore at STAPLES Center. Fans can purchase single game tickets starting at just $10 online at LASparks.com, by phone at 877-44-SPARKS (772757), at the STAPLES Center box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Season tickets, as well as flexible mini-plan options, are also available.
Forward DeLisha Milton-Jones led a sextet of Sparks in double-figures with a game-high 14 points to go along with six boards as Los Angeles completed a perfect 2-0 preseason. Guard Marie Ferdinand-Harris, signed in the off-season from the Sparks, was among a trio of Mercury players to notch 12 points. Phoenix finished the preseason 1-1.
"I'm very pleased with my team tonight" said Sparks head coach Jennifer Gillom, "I thought the energy was there, the aggressiveness was there, and tonight told me a lot."
Candace Parker's steal and behind-the-back assist to guard Kristi Toliver highlighted the Los Angeles' 8-0 run to open a game it never trailed. The lead ballooned to 26-11 on a Jenna O'Hea jumper with 15 seconds left in the first quarter, and the Sparks then took a 48-37 advantage into the locker room..
Phoenix closed within six points thanks to a 5-0 run to open the third before guard Toliver took over, scoring 8 of her 12 points in the third quarter, including a three-pointer and driving layup.
"We got up-and-down the court in the high altitude, and that was the goal for this preseason game," Toliver said. "I think we accomplished what we needed to heading into the regular season."
Los Angeles amassed its biggest margin of the game at 74-56 with 7:44 remaining before the Mercury made things interesting with a late run, scoring the next 11 points including six from Sanni Olayinka. They got as close as 76-72 with 2:36 to play on Ketia Swainer's three-pointer, but like its first preseason game Wednesday vs. Seattle, Los Angeles closed with a flurry. The Sparks scored the final seven points of the evening, four courtesy of forward Ebony Hoffman.
Los Angeles will need to trim its 13-player roster to 11 on Thursday, June 2 before opening the regular season the following night. On Thursday, June 3 at 8 p.m., the Sparks host the Minnesota Lynx and No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick Maya Moore at STAPLES Center. Fans can purchase single game tickets starting at just $10 online at LASparks.com, by phone at 877-44-SPARKS (772757), at the STAPLES Center box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Season tickets, as well as flexible mini-plan options, are also available.
