Sparks lose after 4th quarter run by Sun

LOS ANGELES -- Once again, it was the fourth quarter that presented problems for the Sparks.

The Connecticut Sun (25-10) used a 15-1 run to close out the Sparks (7-28) and defeat them in the first of their two-game series in Los Angeles, 79-67.

It was the first thing Sparks head coach Curt Miller talked about after the game.

"That fourth quarter, struggled to score which, at times, affects our defense," Miller said. "Nearly 40 percent of points for Connecticut come off either offensive rebounds and off turnovers. And they jumpstarted the fourth quarter with six quick points off offensive rebounds then sprinkled in throughout the quarter some breakaway lay-ups off turnovers. All of a sudden, they had their best quarter: 24 points."

Rickea played all 40 minutes and led the Sparks with 23 points.

"I just continue trusting my teammates. And I feel like they find me," Jackson said. "They were getting me the ball in my spots and just credit to them. I feel like I was being more aggressive as well. I know Connecticut isn't gonna let me do what I want so I had to hit them first. But we just gotta put together four quarters."

Jackson scored 12 points in the second half, which was a welcome change for her and the Sparks. She also talked about her defense improving throughout the season.

"Defense keeps you on the floor," Jackson said. "(Curt Miller) has been harping at me. I remember, I think it was after our first game, Coach Curt just came up to me and said, 'I'm gonna make you a good defensive player.' And I took that to heart. He just told me 'as long as you give effort on the defensive end and I can keep you out there in longer stretches.' I can't be a liability on defense and I didn't want to be that. I didn't want to be a weak link."

Dearica Hamby had 10 points and seven rebounds but did not score in the second half.

"Just talking about the little things," Hamby answered when asked about helping the younger players in the game. "Didn't do that in the fourth quarter and I think I got in my head a little bit just from frustration. I have to be a better leader than that and not allowing that to dictate."

The Sparks led 58-55 going into the third quarter and the Sun outscored them, 24-9. It was yet another lesson learned about not closing out for the Sparks. And as Jackson mentioned, they have to put together four quarters.

Turnovers once again reared its ugly head for the Sparks as they had 19 giveaways compared to the Sun's 11. And in that very same fourth quarter, the Sparks committed seven of those turnovers.

The only other player that scored in double figures was Kia Nurse. She had 10 points, which included an electrifying buzzer-beating three to end the first half.

Alyssa Thomas got her third triple-double of the season with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Brionna Jones led the Sun in scoring with 21 points. 

The two teams will go at it again in Crypto.Com Arena on Tuesday night.