WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The fourth quarter woes continue for the Sparks.
The Sparks were held to 12 points in the final stanza while the Mystics were able to dominate in the paint (60 points in the paint!) the entire game. The Mystics handed the Sparks their fourth loss in a row, 80-70.
The Sparks turned the ball over six times in that fourth quarter.
"It's another learning experience, another game that we continue, you know, the problem will be if we stop learning and stop fighting like that," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. "We've had different lineups. We have had to get creative with just injuries and, you know, not having (Cameron Brink) and not having (Monique Akoa Makani). We've got to call on people that need to be ready and they've done a good job. So I think we just have to keep chopping, you know, and if these guys continue to show up the way they're doing and giving us everything they got, then I'm cool with it. The outcome takes care of itself. How can we as coaches, you know, look, if we're in a scoring drought, what is some of our just money actions that we know we're going to get a great shot, a shot that we're comfortable with, continuing to just work our asses off."
With Brink and Akoa Makani out, some players that normally don't get on the floor got some run.
"That's what this league's about," Sparks wing Rae Burrell said. "I've been in the same position as literally every single person on the bench, so that's all it is, is just staying ready mentally. They worked really hard in the workouts, off the court, well, off the game, and on the off days, and they just stayed ready. And they came in, they gave us really good energy and really good effort, so, yeah, shoutouts to the bench, because they were big tonight."
One player that gave big minutes was new main roster member Tonie Morgan. Previously on a developmental contract, Morgan signed a rest-of-season deal after Kiana Williams was waived earlier in the day.
"The last couple days have been fun, getting to know the system more and more every day, getting to know my teammates and coaches," Morgan said, who finished with seven points and six assists. "The game... not satisfied with the result, but we can keep building from this because we fought hard and we just gotta get the next one."
The Sparks did have a nine-point lead in the third quarter. But the fourth quarter wasn't great for them. Overall, the Sparks only shot 10 for 30 (.333) in the second half.
"In the third quarter, I thought defensively we were great," Roberts said. "Came out of the halftime, we were really good. Deflections, activity was high. We just didn't convert. I felt like we were getting good looks. It was just kind of unlucky, rimmed out shots and that happens sometimes, but that's what I thought allowed them to get back in it is we had control of the game and we just didn't convert. I thought we had a chance to really pull away or get a more comfortable lead. But, sometimes, it bounces that way and that's the way it is but I think the things that we can control, in terms of our defensive intensity, the adjustments we made in game, things like that, I was proud of them."
Burrell has had an incredible run this season but it just hasn't resulted in wins for the Sparks.
"Nobody wants to lose. I'm competitive," Burrell said. "I'm glad I'm able to help the team but, obviously, it's not the result we want, but like I said, I'm still getting put in good positions and I'm still just trying to work on my game as well. And that's important as well.
"You just got to keep rolling. And like Lynne said, if we keep fighting and doing what we need to do, then the result will take care of itself," Burrell continued. "I'm just super proud of my team and the fight, really. And the togetherness that we've shown as well. We don't roll over and we're going to fight to the end. So super proud of my team."
The Mystics were led by Sonia Citron with a 21-6-8 line. Kiki Iriafen scored 19 while Shakira Austin had her 15th double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 boards. As for the Sparks, Rae Burrell caught fire in the second half to finish with 20 while Nneka Ogwumike scored 15.
The Sparks are now 12-22. They will get another chance to stop their skid as they take on the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday.