Parker's Late Score In 2OT Lifts Sparks Over Shock
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Candace Parker scored with 5.7 seconds remaining in the second overtime, lifting the Los Angeles Sparks to a hard-fought 90-88 comeback victory over the Tulsa Shock on Sunday.
Parker, who finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, drove past Tiffany Jackson-Jones from the right side for the winning basket. Tulsa's Riquna Williams watched a 23-foot jumper rim out and Nneka Ogwumike rebounded the miss as time expired.
The Sparks (19-8) erased a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter and moved one game behind Minnesota for first place in the Western Conference. Ogwumike finished with 21 points.
Tulsa's Liz Cambage left the game with a sprained left ankle with 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. Candice Wiggins led the Shock (9-19) with 20 points and Williams had 17.
Ogwumike, who was bloodied after she was struck in the face on a foul by Williams in the first overtime, scored six straight baskets late in the second OT to give the Sparks an 88-83 lead with a minute remaining. Williams responded with a 3-pointer and a drive to tie it before Los Angeles got the ball to Parker for the winner.
Wiggins forced the second overtime on a 3 with 7.9 seconds remaining in the first extra session to deflate the home crowd. Los Angeles appeared headed for victory when Parker gave it a 77-72 lead but Williams came back with a 3, and Alana Beard missed her second free throw to leave the door open for Tulsa.
The Sparks entered the fourth quarter down 58-39, but outscored the Shock 29-10 in the fourth, including runs of 14-2 and 13-2.
Lindsey Harding made two free throws with 1:01 left to complete the comeback at 66-all, and Parker scored on a drive with 30 seconds remaining. Skylar Diggins made free throws to tie it again before Parker missed a potential game-winning jumper in the final seconds of regulation.
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