Nneka Ogwumike and Brittney Sykes lead Sparks to big road win over Storm
SEATTLE — Nneka Ogwumike scored 24 points to lead four players in double figures and the Sparks clamped down in the fourth quarter to beat the Seattle Storm 85-77 on Saturday night.
Ogwumike hit 12 of 18 shots from the floor for the Sparks (7-10).
Katie Lou Samuelson added 17 points for the Sparks, who outscored Seattle 17-9 in the final period. Brittney Sykes finished with 15 points and eight assists. Kristi Toliver scored 11.
High school basketball star Jada Williams is among a new wave of female athletes who are benefiting in the new NIL compensation era.
Breanna Stewart had 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks to pace Seattle (11-7). Ezi Magbegor scored 16 and blocked three shots before fouling out. Gabby Williams scored 11.
Stewart hit her first three three-point attempts as the Storm jumped out to a 19-7 lead early.
Toliver scored the final four points in a 29-point second quarter and the Sparks led 49-43 at halftime.