When There’s Sparks (and Sun), There’s FIRE

Chiney and Nneka Oguwumike jostle for position last night
at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Chiney came out on top with
the Sun stopping the Sparks, 102-94 victory.

By Bob Phillips

UNCASVILLE—In sports, many rivalries are geographically based. Yankees-Red Sox is the most popular in these parts. Others may be based on long-time history. Put Giants-Packers in that column. In the WNBA, a new rivalry is being developed—one not based on geography, nor history. Rather, it is based on two sisters. The sisters Ogwumike, to be precise.

Nnemkadi Ogwumike, she of Nigerian decent, was born in Tomball, Tex., in 1990. She grew to be 6-2, went to Stanford, attained All-American status, and was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2012 draft, and plays for the Los Angeles Sparks. She is known to all as Nneka.

 Two years later, Nneka got a sister, named Chinenye. Also born in Tomball, Tex., she grew to 6-3, also went to Stanford, also became an All-American, and also was drafted No. 1 overall by the Connecticut Sun in 2014. She is more popularly known as Chiney.

And that's how a transcontinental rivalry was born.

 On Thursday night, the Sparks came to town, and were welcomed by a powerhouse Connecticut Sun team looking to earn its first victory over LA in three seasons. Not only was that mission a success, but with its 102-94 win before 5,571 fans at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Connecticut became the first team in WNBA history to score 100 or more points in two games to open the season. It was also the first time the in franchise history that the Sun had broken the 100 point barrier in consecutive games. The Sun opened the season with a 101-65 thrashing of the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.

As with most rivalry games, this one was anything but easy. Connecticut led by two at the first turn, but trailed by one, 47-46, at intermission. The third period was downright nasty for the Sun, who trailed by nine, 74-65, heading into the fourth quarter. But Connecticut regrouped, had an historic fourth period, outscoring the visitors by 17 in the final frame to pull out a hard-fought victory.

Historic, you say? Isn’t that a little dramatic? Well, no, it isn’t, actually. The 37 points scored by the Sun in the fourth quarter tied a franchise record for most points in a period. That record was set last year vs. the Atlanta Dream. Indeed, the Sun were trailing by four with 4:49 remaining in regulation, then kicked in the jets and ended the contest with a 20-8 run.

Jonquel Jones led the furious charge, popping in 10 of her 17 points in the final frame. J.J. was 4-for-4 from the field, while Alyssa Thomas went 4-for-5 and put up nine in Q4. Overall, six Sun players scored in double digits: Chiney Oguwumike (18), Jones (17), Alyssa Thomas (15), Courtney Williams (14), Jasmine Thomas (13), and Shekinna Stricklen (11).

And another one for the books: the Sun shot a blazing 40-for-64 from the floor. The 64.5 percent shooting performance was the third-best in franchise history.

The Sparks had four players in double digits, themselves: Chelsea Gray with a game-high 21, Odyssey Sims (20), Nneka Oguwumike (19) and Essence Carson (15). Alyssa Thomas added nine rebounds and five assists to her statline, while Courtney Williams added five assits and four boards. Jasmine Thomas chipped in with eight assists.

Bench play is so important in a long season, and in this game, at least, the Sun dominated. Led by J.J.’s 17-points, the Sun outscored the LA reserves 31-13.

“Man, it felt good. It just felt right,” said Chiney Oguwumike on playing big sis. “Even though we’re playing against each other, I feel her positive vibes. It’s just sort of funny because there was a point where she hit a shot and then I hit a shot, I traveled and then she traveled… and then I remember I hit a jumper and she hit a three and I’m like really… she always has to one-up me. Nonetheless, she’s such a talented player. She is poised, she’s a leader and she’s everything I aspire to be. To be able to play against her and compete… I learn a lot from her, it’s just nice to win this time around.”

The Sun next wrap up their season-opening three-game homestand on Saturday night when they entertain the Indiana Fever at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Tip-off is at 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed on WNBA League Pass. 

—with Colleen White and staff reports