Jordin Canada’s improvised play proved to be the game winner for the Sparks Tuesday, as they edged the Fever, 79-78, to snap an eight-game losing streak.
Trailing by 2 points with under 10 seconds to go, the ball was supposed to go to forward Nneka Ogwumike. But as she was being heavily guarded by Indiana center Aliyah Boston, Canada ran the ball around the key, pulled up from the right side and launched a 3-point shot that didn’t touch the net when it swished in.
With just 3.2 seconds left, Kelsey Mitchell was able to get a shot off for the Fever, but it hit the rim.
Canada, who finished with 20 points and 10 assists, said she’d been confident in her shooting throughout the matchup.
“When I saw she was being denied by Boston, I just took it, and thankfully it went in,” she said.
Ogwumike had 30 points for the Sparks, and Azura Stevens added 15. Mitchell lead the visitors with 19 points.
Coach Curt Miller said Canada’s heroics was a matter of “great players making great plays,” but added that the entire team was determined going into the game.
Ending the losing streak – it’s great to have that monkey is off our back,” he said. “We took a step in the right…
