Sluggish Start…Big OT win

The two veterans Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson met up for the first time since 2006 but the two veterans were nothing compared to famed rookie Candace Parker. Her teammates helped along the way also but the 1st Half belonged to Houston. The Comets started out with a 7-0 start in the 1st Quarter, leaving LA pointless. Tina Thompson came up with some big threes along with Shannon “Pee Wee” Johnson to leave the Sparks behind 17-4 with 4 minutes left in the 1st Quarter. The Comets came out of the 1st Quarter shooting 37%.

In the 2nd Quarter, LA tried to make a name for themselves and of course Candace “CP3″ Parker stepped up with 19 points, 8 boards, and shot 83.3% at the free throw line, but don’t forget that this is only the 1st Half. The score was 45-37 at the half leaving the Comets shooting 44% and the Sparks shooting 42%. The bad part was that LA shot 18.1% from behind the arc.

Candace came out with a quick two, beat the shot clock to make a 3-pointer, followed up with another 3-pointer,and made 1 of 2 free throws, changing her numbers to 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Her numbers changed the score from 57-55 still in Houston’s favor.

Candace then made an off the window bank shot 3-pointer followed by Sidney Spencer’s 3-pointer to make the score 68-67 with 3:15 left on the clock in LA’s favor. Houston’s fouled and makes two free throws. LA turns the ball over and Houston has ball, unfortunately Erica White’s attempt at a lay-up is missed and Candace is fouled with 1.6 seconds left. Candace misses one and makes the next to send the game into overtime.

LA goes into overtime 73-69 after a shot made by Lisa Leslie. Then Marie Ferdinand-Harris makes a 3-pointer and LA has its first lead of the whole game. The game is won 80-74 by LA.

Stats:

Candace Parker-40 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks, 6 assists

Lisa Leslie- 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks

Marie Ferdinand-Harris- 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists

Shannon Bobbitt- 1 point, 3 steals, 3 turnovers

Game Numbers:

Comets FT%- 66.7%

Sparks FT%- 73.9%

Comets FG%- 37.0%

Sparks FG%- 42.6%

Comets 3p%- 54.6%

Sparks 3p%- 30.4% 

Fun Facts :

*Delisha Milton-Jones was inactive due to an Inflammed Achilles Tendon on her right heel.

*Candace set a season-high of 40 points and 15 rebounds.

*Delisha Milton-Jones was the 1st inactive player to get a technical foul in WNBA history.