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Minneapolis, Minnesota– The Los Angeles Sparks (12-7) drop their second game in a row to the Minnesota Lynx (11-7) 83-72 on a historic night that saw veteran power forward Rebekkah Brunson become the WNBA all-time leading rebounder.
Brunson’s efforts were evident early as she scored points in the first quarter putting the Lynx ahead 20-15. She finished the game with a double-double scoring 15 points (6-8), 3-4 from behind the arch and 12 rebounds.
The reigning league MVP Sylvia Fowles had a game high 27 points (12 in the first half on 5-5 shooting) on 9-10 form the field, seven assists and nine rebounds. She handled the Spark’s double teaming with ease.
The half ended with the Minnesota up 38-35 as Nneka Ogwumike and Candace Parker combined for 20 of the Spark’s first half points.
The third quarter kept a similar pace for the Sparks as Parker and Ogwumike’s efforts were offset by the Lynx’s perimeter shooting. The champs connected on 5-7 seven three point attempts keeping Minnesota in the lead 66-53 at the end of the third period.
Parker, after being kept scoreless in the first quarter, contributed 22 points, five assists and five rebounds in 34:36 minutes of play while Ogwumike added 15 points on 7-14 shooting including eight rebounds.
In the fourth quarter, Minnesota’s head coach Cherly Reeve was hit with a double technical foul while protesting a no-call by the referees on what seemed to be a physical play towards Fowles. She was ejected from the game with 7:00 left in the contest.
The Spark’s were only down by nine with 1:18 left in the game but couldn’t seem to execute down the stretch as the Lynx notched their first win of the season against Los Angeles.
Chelsea Gray also added 10 points with eight assists but struggled from the field at 27% shooting and only 2-7 from behind the arc.
Maya Moore had an off night for the Lynx scoring eight point on 2-13 shooting.
The Sparks will be hosting Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics (11-6) on July 7th at the Staple Center.
