Shock drops two road games; return to BOK Center Thursday
The momentum from a recent losing streak breaking win at San Antonio was not enough to keep the Tulsa Shock from dropping their final two games of a three-game road swing. The Shock broke their 12-game losing streak last Friday with a 75-70 win over the San Antonio Silver Stars at AT&T Center. The win prevented the Shock from tying a franchise record losing streak of 13 straight games.
DEFENDING CHAMPS OUTLAST SHOCK 97-88
Penny Taylor's 29 points and added seven assists and six rebounds for the Phoenix Mercury as they defeated the Shock for the third time this season. Candice Dupree added 26 points and six rebounds for Phoenix to drop Tulsa's record to 0-4 in games played on the second day of back-to-back days. Scholanda Robinson paced the Shock with 15 points and five rebounds.
The Shock stayed with the Mercury until late in the third quarter when the Mercury used a 20-7 run to take a 12-point lead into the final quarter. Tulsa pulled back within six points with three minutes remaining, but Phoenix managed to pull away to secure the win. Robinson was one of five Shock players that scored in double digits.
SPARKS CLAIMS 86-83 OVERTIME WIN OVER SHOCK
Tulsa trailed by as many as 16 points, but went on a 15-2 run to take a two point lead with 1:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. Tina Thompson saved the day for the Los Angeles Sparks, hitting a jump shot with 18-seconds remaining to force overtime. Ticha Penicheiro would soon become the hero for the Sparks.
With 53-seconds remaining, Tiffany Jackson dropped in a layup that tied the game at 81-81. 20-seconds later Penicheiro collected a rebound off of her own shot, dished the ball to Noelle Quinn who scored on a layup to give the Sparks a two-point lead. Penicheiro then sank three of four free throws down the stretch to clinch the overtime win for Los Angeles.
Robinson led the Shock with 19 points while teammates Keisha Brown and Ivory Latta added 13 and 10 points respectively. Marion Jones and Jennifer Lacy provided 11 points each.
The Shock (4-17) now gears up for a return to the BOK Center where they will host the Phoenix Mercury at 7 p.m. on Thursday night. Tickets for Thursday's game, and all remaining home games are on sale at the BOK Center box office, online or by calling 599-WNBA.