Brink’s Last Second Block Earns LA First Win (5-21-24)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: WNBA
Long Beach, CA- A game that came down to the last seconds that saw Los Angeles (1-2) earn their first win of the 2024 season led by rookie Cameron Brink who anchored the defensive charge that held Washington scoreless on its final possession to potentially tie the game.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the game was tied up at 55-55. Washington’s offense would struggle to begin the quarter missing its first seven-shot attempts. Los Angeles took advantage, jumping out to a 65-56 lead with 5:49 left in the quarter, gaining its largest lead of the game. Washington rookie Aaliyah Edwards had the best scoring game of her young career, rallying the Mystics to score 6-of-her-10 points to help cut the lead to 65-64 at the 2:06 mark but missing out on a potential and-one opportunity with her last bucket.
Dearica Hamby made a 12-foot jumper followed by Shakira Austin making a turnaround jumper of her own making it a one-point Sparks lead with 1:24 remaining. Edwards stole the ball from Los Angeles giving Washington possession with 24 seconds remaining in the game still trailing 67-66. Washington (0-4) would not get a shot off, turning the ball over and forcing them to intentionally foul. Lexi Brown was sent to the line hitting both free throws extending the Sparks lead to 69-66 with 14 seconds remaining. Ariel Atkins made a quick bucket and she intentionally fouled once again to send Kia Nurse to the line with a 69-68 LA lead. Nurse split the free throws allowing Washington a chance to win or send the game to overtime with 7 seconds remaining.
The Mystics inbounded the ball to Ariel Atkins who was doubled, passing it down low to Austin in the paint who spun around Brown, attempting two shots but was stuffed by Brink inside the paint unable to get a clean shot off. Brown scored 20 points for Los Angeles, hitting three 3-pointers, with six assists, and two steals. Hamby had a huge double-double scoring 17 points and snagging 18 rebounds. Nurse added 13 points, and Brink continued her impressive defensive performance with three steals and four blocks.
Julie Vanloo and Austin led the Mystics with 12 points each. While the No.6 pick, Edwards scored 10 points on 5-7 shooting, to go along with three steals, and two blocks. Atkins had a career-high night stealing the ball six times moving up to second in steals (265) in franchise history. Veteran Guard Brittney Sykes missed her second straight contest with a left ankle injury. Washington falls to 0-4 on the season and will look for its first win heading into Phoenix to take on the Mercury.
