| |
|
WNBA Finals - - - Beard's buzzer-beater lifts Sparks over Lynx in Game 1
By Daniel Quindao Guden PhilBoxing.com Tue, 11 Oct 2016

MINNEAPOLIS - Los Angeles Sparks shooting-guard Alana Beard scored only four points in the opening game of the 2016 WNBA Finals which opened Sunday at the newly-renovated Target Center.
But Beard nailed the field goal that mattered the most, a baseline jumper with 1.3 ticks to play, lifting the visiting Los Angeles Sparks to a 78-76 Game 1 triumph over the Minnesota Lynx before a stunned home crowd of 12,113.
"Give Beard credit for knocking it down, she was open. That was certainly a good play by them" Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve told the media during her post game press conference.
Besides getting a huge lift from Beard, the No.2 seeded Sparks effectively executed a game plan that slowed down 2014 MVP and scoring machine Maya Moore, who went 0-for-4 from the field in the first half.
Getting into early foul trouble didn't bode well for Minnesota as the Sparks took advantage by going to the free throw stripe 24 times, canning 19. Four Sparks chargers registered double figures in points led by 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike, who had 19 points and 8 rebounds.
Three-point specialist Kristi Tolver added 19 while Candace Parker contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds. while Kristi TJantel Lavender punched in 6-of-8 shots to finish with 12 for Los Angeles.
Sparks 'Parker (L) and Beard (R).
Three Lynx players --- Moore, Sylvia Fowles and Lindsay Whalen clocked in 18 points apiece but it wasn't enough to carry Minnesota, which shot 31 of 61 from the field but missed all four of its 3-point shots.
Game 1 turned out to be highly entertaining, one that featured 19 ties and 10 lead changes. During the halftime break, WNBA president Lisa Borders paraded the Top 20 players so far in the 20-year old league.
Among those honored included San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, Moore, Whalen, Seimone Augustus and Candace Parker.
Game 2 is Tuesday night at Target Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Daniel Quindao Guden.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025AISAT Basic Ed football training starts By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE , Fri, 22 Aug 2025Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin , Fri, 22 Aug 2025Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA , Fri, 22 Aug 2025COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA , Thu, 21 Aug 2025‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51 , Thu, 21 Aug 2025JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES , Thu, 21 Aug 2025Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero , Thu, 21 Aug 2025World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit , Thu, 21 Aug 2025Assassin’s Creed: Brian Norman Jr. Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Top Rank , Thu, 21 Aug 2025Five Philippine FIDE Masters are scheduled to arrive in Roxas City By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025Boxing Promotional Powerhouse Top Rank Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas , Thu, 21 Aug 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 12: MUHAMMAD ALI LOSSES THEN WINS AGAINST KEN NORTON By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 20 Aug 2025Pasig and Quezon City top 1st PCAP Rated Open championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 Aug 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Full Fight Card Revealed , Wed, 20 Aug 2025Sadam Ali's career highlight: Defeating Terence Crawford to become 2008 U.S. Olympian , Wed, 20 Aug 2025Irish amateur star Jim Donovan to make pro debut on Sept. 13th Outdoors at Windsor Park in Belfast , Wed, 20 Aug 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|