Tulsa Falls Flat In Fourth Quarter; Blows Double-Digit Lead To Sparks

Newson6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa was on pace to pick up its second win of the season Friday, but a disastrous fourth quarter doomed the Shock to its eight consecutive loss, falling to the Los Angeles Sparks 79-74.

Tulsa led 71-62 with 7:16 left to play, thanks to a Kayla Pedersen three-pointer, but that's when the wheels fell off for the Shock. Tulsa went scoreless for the next four minutes of play, while Los Angeles rattled off nine unanswered points to tie the game 71-71 with 3:21 left to play.

Forward Tiffany Jackson stopped the bleeding for Tulsa with 2:57 left on the clock with a layup, but that would be the last field goal the Shock would score. Los Angeles closed the game on an 8-1 run to close the door on a Shock comeback.

Former Oklahoma State star Andrea Riley led the charge for Tulsa with 15 points, while Jackson turned in a double-double, scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Pedersen notched 13 points, four steals and three boards in the loss, while fellow rookie Liz Cambage managed just 11 points.

Los Angeles claimed the game's two highest scorers, with Kristi Toliver turning in a game-high 25 points – including 12 from behind the arc – while Delisha Milton-Jones scored 18 and grabbed nine boards.

Tulsa will be back in action at 3 p.m. Sunday against the New York Liberty, in another attempt at its second win of the season.