Sparks' Noelle Quinn celebrates after scoring a basket during the Sparks' 84-74 victory over San Antonio on Tuesday. (Kin Man Hui / Associated Press / July 12, 2011) |
SAN ANTONIO — Ticha Penicheiro scored 18 points to help Joe Bryant win his debut as coach in the Sparks' 84-74 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars on Tuesday night.
Bryant took over as coach of the Sparks (5-6) on Sunday after Jennifer Gillom was fired. They had lost the previous five games of their seven-game trip, which ends Friday at Tulsa, and had not won in six road games total this season.
This is Bryant's second stint as coach of the Sparks. He previously coached them from August 2005 until the end of the 2006 season. Bryant didn't waste any time making his presence felt Tuesday. He drew a technical foul with 2:51 left in the second quarter for arguing a call.
Sophia Young scored 22 points for the Silver Stars (7-4), who have lost three straight games. Danielle Adams added 16 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio.
The Sparks began their trip June 24 in San Antonio, losing in overtime. They not only had a different coach then, but they had their leading scorer, Candace Parker. She missed her fourth straight game Tuesday with a knee injury.
Led by a lineup featuring five reserves, the Sparks went on a 15-4 run to open the second quarter. The only starter to play in the period for the Sparks, who led by two at halftime, was DeLisha Milton-Jones. Young helped keep the Silver Stars in the game with eight second-quarter points.
The Sparks held the Stars to seven-for-22 shooting in the third quarter to open up an eight-point lead before increasing the advantage in the fourth quarter.
The Sparks scored 49 points off the bench, led by Natasha Lacy with 13. Reserve Jantel Lavender added 12 and Ebony Hoffman had 12.
The Sparks held the Silver Stars to 36% shooting and outrebounded them, 43-31.
Bryant took over as coach of the Sparks (5-6) on Sunday after Jennifer Gillom was fired. They had lost the previous five games of their seven-game trip, which ends Friday at Tulsa, and had not won in six road games total this season.
Sophia Young scored 22 points for the Silver Stars (7-4), who have lost three straight games. Danielle Adams added 16 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio.
The Sparks began their trip June 24 in San Antonio, losing in overtime. They not only had a different coach then, but they had their leading scorer, Candace Parker. She missed her fourth straight game Tuesday with a knee injury.
Led by a lineup featuring five reserves, the Sparks went on a 15-4 run to open the second quarter. The only starter to play in the period for the Sparks, who led by two at halftime, was DeLisha Milton-Jones. Young helped keep the Silver Stars in the game with eight second-quarter points.
The Sparks held the Stars to seven-for-22 shooting in the third quarter to open up an eight-point lead before increasing the advantage in the fourth quarter.
The Sparks scored 49 points off the bench, led by Natasha Lacy with 13. Reserve Jantel Lavender added 12 and Ebony Hoffman had 12.
The Sparks held the Silver Stars to 36% shooting and outrebounded them, 43-31.
