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    Sparks can’t escape early hole in loss to Chicago
    • May 31, 2024

    Sparks rookie Cameron Brink, left, shoots as the Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams defends during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Marina Mabrey, left, fouls the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Sparks forward Dearica Hamby drives to the basket past the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese drives to the basket as the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby defends during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Sparks forward Dearica Hamby drives to the basket between the Chicago Sky’s Brianna Turner, right, and Isabelle Harrison during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. Hamby had game-highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds, but the Sparks could not overcome a poor first half in an 83-73 loss. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Sparks’ Kia Nurse shoots between the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, left, and Marina Mabrey during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Marina Mabrey, left, fouls the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon directs her players from the sideline during the first half of their game against the Sparks on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Sparks forward Dearica Hamby drives to the basket as the Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams defends during the first half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Dana Evans shoots as the Sparks’ Aari McDonald (15) defends during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams (1) blocks a shot by Sparks rookie Cameron Brink during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, left, shoots over the Sparks’ Cameron Brink during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams (1) disrupts a pass from Sparks guard Zia Cooke, left, to teammate Dearica Hamby during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Marina Mabrey, top, shoots over the Sparks’ Kia Nurse during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Sparks rookie Cameron Brink, left, blocks a shot by the Chicago Sky’s Dana Evans during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter, center, drives to the basket past the Sparks’ Rickea Jackson (2), Aari McDonald (15) and Cameron Brink during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Marina Mabrey, left, shoots and is fouled by Sparks guard Zia Cooke during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Diamond DeShields, left, tries to intercept a pass intended for the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby as Angel Reese, right, also defends during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Diamond DeShields, left, collides with the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby as Angel Reese (5) watches during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    The Chicago Sky’s Diamond DeShields, left, collides with the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby as Angel Reese (5) also defends during the second half on Thursday night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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    CHICAGO — Winning on the road is tough enough. Falling behind by 18 points at halftime makes it all the more difficult.

    Dearica Hamby had game-highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds and Kia Nurse had 17 points, but the Sparks could not overcome a slow start in an 83-73 loss to the Chicago Sky on Thursday night at Wintrust Arena.

    Marina Mabrey scored 20 points and tied a career high with six 3-pointers, while Elizabeth Williams had 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots as Chicago (3-3) earned its first home win of the season.

    Mabrey gave Chicago a 21-point lead with 6:59 remaining in the third quarter. The Sparks (2-5) battled back, closing on a 20-8 run to get within 67-58 entering the fourth. The Sky committed 10 fouls in the third quarter, turned it over six times and allowed 27 points.

    The Sparks were within 78-69 with 2:16 left after rookie Rickea Jackson completed a three-point play, but Sky rookie Angel Reese made a shot in the lane on back-to-back possessions to extend Chicago’s lead to 82-69.

    Jackson (10 points, five rebounds) and fellow rookie Cameron Brink (seven points, six rebounds) are still trying to grow into their roles, but the Sparks had more turnovers (18) than assists (17). Chicago moved the ball more efficiently (27 assists on 32 field goals) and opened an 11-point lead after one quarter and on its way to a 49-31 halftime cushion.

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    Dana Evans had four of the Sky’s 13 steals and added 15 points. Chennedy Carter scored 14 points for Chicago. Reese picked up her fifth foul with 8:22 left in the fourth and finished with six points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. Evans scored 11 points in the first half and Carter added 10 as the Sky shot 51% from the field before the break and led by as many as 20 points.

    The Sparks are still searching for a win against any team that could be considered a legitimate playoff contender. Their two victories came against the winless Washington Mystics (0-7) and the struggling Indiana Fever (1-8), and Indiana’s lone win came at the Sparks’ expense at Crypto.com Arena.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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