Shenise Johnson Scores 8 In Overtime Win

Throughout her WNBA career, Silver Stars forward Sophia Young has always made it a point to improve on some aspect of her game during the offseason.

If she struggles with her free-throw shooting during the season, it's a safe bet that she'll spend countless time in a gym somewhere working to fix the flaw. If she wants to extend her shooting range, the hours of working on her shot after practices pile up.

But the biggest impact that Young had on the Silver Stars' 98-85 overtime victory Saturday over Los Angeles had little to do with shooting range or shooting technique.

It was the former Baylor standout's focus and hustle before 8,234 at the AT&T Center that helped the Silver Stars (4-4) earn back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

“Sophia, I thought, played with an intensity that was infectious for us,” Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes said. “I've benefited from watching a lot of Sophia's games, but that one really showed not only her offensive end, but her defensive end. She was incredibly active, and really led us in this situation.”

Young, who finished with 24 points and eight rebounds, had plenty of help.

Becky Hammon, who hadn't scored in double figures in the previous three games, also tallied 24. Danielle Adams added 18, Jia Perkins had 10 and rookie Shenise Johnson chipped in eight.

Perkins scored four of her points in overtime, helping the Silver Stars outscore Los Angeles 15-2 in the extra session.

“I knew they were going to be on Becky hard, so I wanted to look for my shot, be aggressive,” Perkins said.

The Silver Stars' dominance in overtime helped them bounce back from squandering a 78-70 lead with 31/2 minutes remaining.

The shorthanded Sparks (7-3), who were playing their third road game in four days, and second in as many nights, closed regulation with a 13-5 run, forcing overtime. They were without Ebony Hoffman and Nicky Anosike, who both are injured, and Nneka Ogwumike, the No. 1 pick in April's draft, who was attending her graduation from Stanford.

“I was incredibly proud of our team,” Sparks coach Carol Ross said. “I thought we had to overcome a lot of obstacles.”

Los Angeles' final hurdle — overtime — was one it couldn't navigate.

In defeating the Sparks for the sixth time in seven meetings, and the fifth in the last six games played at the AT&T Center, the Silver Stars scored the first 13 points in overtime.

A basket by Candace Parker, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, snapped Los Angeles' scoreless drought.

Alana Beard led the Sparks with 23 points. Kristi Toliver added 16 before fouling out, and Jantel Lavender totaled 10 points and 11 rebounds.

“I didn't think we closed the fourth quarter particularly well,” Hammon said. “We regrouped for the overtime. We came out and gave them another punch. It was a good all-around win for us.”


(mysanantonio.com)