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Atlanta (1-0) broke a stalemate that lasted
most of the first three quarters, going on an 11-0 run to open
the final period. Howard and Crystal Dangerfield combined for
nine points in the pivotal stretch, with Dangerfield notching
four of her six total for the contest in that run.
Los Angeles (0-1) ended its drought to open the fourth quarter
on a Kia Nurse 3-pointer with six minutes to play -- part of her
team-high 23 points -- but the damage was done. The Sparks could
not cut the deficit to any fewer than six points the rest of the
way.
In her return to the court after sitting out last season,
Charles -- the 2012 WNBA MVP -- scored 21 points on 9-of-14
shooting from the floor and snared a game-high-tying 14
rebounds. Haley Jones and Allisha Gray joined her in
double-figure scoring with 14 and 12, respectively.
With Charles leading the way, Atlanta posted an overwhelming
50-30 advantage for points in the paint.
Los Angeles countered from deep, hitting 12 of 31 from beyond
the arc to Atlanta's 8 of 17. Nurse went 5 of 11 from long range
and Dearica Hamby, who finished with 20 points for Los Angeles,
shot 2 of 4 from outside.
No. 2 overall draft pick Cameron Brink hit two of her three
3-point attempts en route to 11 points.
Brink spent much of the night in foul trouble, however, racking
up two quick fouls and having to go to the bench midway through
the third quarter for a long stretch after picking up her fourth
personal. She logged 19:46 in total.
Fellow Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson came off the bench to score
seven points but shot just 3 of 10 from the floor.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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