SPARKS IGNITE LATE BUT STILL SINGE ROCKERS : SPARKS 74, CLEVELAND 72.Byline: Anel Laj Staff Writer Before game time, Sparks coach Orlando Woolridge Orlando Vernada Woolridge (born December 16 1959 in Bernice, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player in the NBA. Woolridge played collegiate basketball at the University of Notre Dame. wrote a message for his team: Great intensity from the start. The Sparks did not seem to act on the suggestion until late in the second half, but at least they rallied and edged the Cleveland Rockers The Cleveland Rockers was a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which started in 1997. The owner was Gordon Gund, who at the time also owned the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. 74-72 before 5,947 on Monday night at the Forum. With just under four minutes remaining, Mwadi Mabika Mwadi Mabika (born July 27, 1976 in Kinshasa, Zaire (present Democratic Republic of the Congo)) is a Congolese basketball player and an All-Star in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She studied biology and chemistry at the Massamba School in Kinshasa. , who was 1 of 7 in the first half, sank two 3-pointers in 0:34 seconds to give the Sparks a 71-69 lead. Later, Cleveland's Alisa Burras, who finished the game with 16 points, made only one of two free throws to recapture the lead for the Rockers at 72-71. Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. reserve center Nina Bjedov, who scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half, made a 14-footer with 1:24 left to give the Sparks the lead (at 73-72), which they clung to for the win. ``(Cleveland) has some really talented players and on any given night they can beat any one,'' said Woolridge. ``It (has to be) business as usual, whether its Houston or Cleveland. There's a certain way we come to work and we have to come with that certain frame of mind and not have any letdowns.'' Jamila Wideman's expectations of picking up a win against her former team fell short. The former Spark, who was traded to the Rockers for Jennifer Howard in late June, didn't have as much impact as teammate Eva Nemcova, who was 8 for 8 from the free-throw line free-throw line n. See foul line. and finished with 20 points. Wideman played for only nine minutes and registered two points and one assist. ``We just wanted to come out and play hard,'' said Cleveland coach Linda Hill-MacDonald Linda Hill-MacDonald is a women's basketball coach. She is currently the head coach at the University at Buffalo (since 2005). She had been the head coach at Temple University, (1980-90), The University of Minnesota (1990-97) and the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers from 1997 to . ``I think we allowed L.A. to come back and beat us on the boards. That's what really got us tonight.'' With this win, the Sparks move into second place in the Western Conference standings, tying the Sacramento Monarchs. |
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