Sparks defeat Mystics, win third in a row

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Sparks lost a key player in Kelsey Plum. But that's why there are more than one player in a professional basketball roster.

Cameron Brink had a hot first half. Nneka Ogwumike was steady throughout the game. And then Erika Wheeler took them home. The Sparks (4-3) had a concerted effort to defeat the upstart Washington Mystics (3-4), 92-87.

Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts was proud of the way they played without Plum.

"Yeah, we can build on that, right? And showing toughness and that's what it takes," Roberts said. "I think everybody knew that you don't just replace KP with one player, like, we're going to sub in so-and-so. Everybody's got to just do a little bit more.

"But, again, the toughness to win on the road without KP, I'm incredibly proud of this group. And it's still early in the season but we can build on that for sure."

Brink scored 14 out of her 16 points in the first half. 

"I'm really lucky," Brink said, who passed Tina Thompson for 9th in blocks in team history. "Every day, I come to practice with a smile on my face and just really excited to be around this group. Without KP, it was kind of daunting for me, at least; she's a big engine to this team. But I think just leaning on everybody and just enjoying my company."

It went a bit under the radar but Dearica Hamby did a lot of playmaking, finishing the game with nine assists.

"Regarding Dearica... nine assists from your five player is impressive," Roberts said. "She wasn't forcing things. She was making the right read. I thought she was phenomenal in that. It's a luxury for me. The Mystics' front court is great but so is ours. Nneka, Cam, Dearica... those three are just a three-headed monster. I thought Dearica took what the defense gave her and that's the sign of a great player."

And the Sparks were able to finish the Mystics off with a flurry from Erica Wheeler, scoring 14 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter.

"I think E is just the epitomization of toughness, right? She's just a tough cookie," Roberts said. "Mentally tough, physically tough. She had seven assists at halftime so she was dealing and then it opened things up for her in the second half. It's confidence, right? It's confidence that comes from the work. But she executed great and is just fearless. I don't know where we'd be without her, so I'm super proud of her and what she brings to this team. Not just what you saw tonight but all the things in the locker room. She's a winner and has just this ultimate toughness that I just love coaching."

With all hands on deck, the Sparks rookie guards, Ta'Niya Latson and Chance Gray, got some burn. 

"Ta'Niya... the way the Mystics were defending and they were really bringing the heat to her so it was tough for her to kind of get loose," Roberts said. "But she got to the free throw line a couple times, defensively did a good job. And then Chance was great: +12, highest on the team in her minutes. When (Ariel) Atkins fouled out with, I don't know, five minutes to go, we didn't flinch or wonder who should go in. We knew it would be Chance. She did a tremendous job on (Sonia) Citron, which is a tough guard with how good she is and all the actions they run. I was really proud of her. She hit two big threes. That's what she can do. So you're seeing the potential in them. And they're needed, as you said, being short-handed."

Finally, Ogwumike passed Lisa Leslie for most field goals in Sparks franchise history.

"Lisa is ultimate company," Ogwumike said, who now has 2,339 field goals for the Sparks compared to Leslie's 2,332. "Being a part of this organization has always been about legacy. So I'm grateful to just be even mentioned amongst greats like Lisa but then also to be able to play with someone who's probably going to pass my record in the years to come in Cam. It's all about honoring that legacy and nurturing it as well. So I'm just happy to be here doing it in a Sparks jersey."

Ogwumike made the tiebreaking three with under two minutes to go, 84-81. And then the Sparks kept the Mystics at bay with a banker and a lay-up from Wheeler. The Mystics were down three and had a chance to tie the game at the end but Kiki Iriafen airballed a shot from behind the arc. Wheeler put the game away with free throws.

Wheeler led the Sparks in scoring with 21 points and also handed out eight assists. Ogwumike had her second double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 boards. Brink had 16 while Hamby had 14 points and nine assists.

For Washington, they were led by Shakira (again, not Shak) Austin with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Citron came on late with 21 (and a career-best eight assists) while Iriafen had 13.

Sparks have won three straight and are now at 4-3 (3-0 on the road!). But there's no rest for the weary as they will take on the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night in a second game of a back-to-back affair.