Sparks surge in fourth quarter to defeat Dallas and end losing streak

The last time the Sparks faced the Dallas Wings in May, they lost by one point. The Sparks avenged that loss during another close matchup Friday, defeating the Wings 81-72 during a Commissioner’s Cup game.

Crypto.com Arena was the scene of the battle between the bottom two teams in the Western Conference, with both aiming to turn around early season misfortune. The Sparks (3-7) ended a three-game losing skid and the Wings (3-6) saw theirs extended to four.

It was a back-and-forth contest, featuring five lead changes. The Wings started on an 8-0 run and the Sparks were sluggish in the first half, shooting 16 for 35 from the field.

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Dearica Hamby shook off a slow start in the first half after she scored only six points. She led the Sparks with 22 points and 12 rebounds on nine-for-16 shooting from the field, notching her sixth double-double of the season.

Hamby played a crucial role for the Sparks in the second half, scoring 16 points and becoming the team’s go-to scoring option.

“In games, we could’ve won, we folded in the second halves and fourth quarters,” Hamby said. “The steadiness and the composure we had at the end of this game was a moment of growth for us.”

Lexie Brown, providing a much-needed boost off the bench for the Sparks, putting them ahead for good after a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter for a 68-67 lead. She finished with 16 points, six assists and four rebounds as the bench combined for 34 points to help the Sparks overcome a slow start.

“In the last few games, I was allowing the other team’s defense to dictate my offense,” said Brown, who was four for eight from three-point range. “I got more aggressive hunting for my shot, and my teammates set me up great tonight. … We emphasize that in practice today, being more intentional about what we’re doing on offense.”

Rookie Cameron Brink secured her first double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. On defense, she added two blocks and two steals. Brink also scored a layup at the halftime buzzer to cut the Sparks’ deficit to six points.

The Sparks’ defense minimized the impact of the Wings duo, Maddy Siegrist and Arike Ogunbowale, who had huge first-half performances. Ogunbowale finished with 22 points and Siegrist had 21, but no other Dallas player scored in double figures.

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“This is the second game now, and Arike is going to get her points, she is an elite player,” Sparks coach Curt Miller said. “[But], we made her work for everything, and hats off to our individual defenders.”

The Sparks limited the Wings to nine points in the fourth quarter. For the game, the Sparks held Dallas to two three-pointers in 17 attempts. Hamby credited the Sparks’ aggressiveness and tenacity on defense for helping them win.

“It wasn’t perfect, but we were competing,” Hamby said. “We emphasized digging deep and competing on defense. So to see it [happen] on the floor means a lot.”

Miller pointed to the win as a step in the right direction for the team, which he believes will breed optimism going forward.

“I love that we’re working to establish playing hard,” Miller said. “I am really excited about what this team is behind the scenes. The wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

The Sparks will play host to the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces on Sunday at 6 p.m.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.