LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks topped the Connecticut Sun, 84-72, in front of a sold-out Staples Center crowd on the fifth annual #WeAreWomen game, where the Sparks honored six women who empower the Los Angeles community. The Sparks were led by Riquna Williams game-high 21 points, including five 3-pointers, to earn their 11th straight win at home, the fourth longest home win-streak in franchise history. Courtney Williams anchored Connecticut with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jonquel Jones notched a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Sparks trailed the Sun throughout the first quarter, finishing at 22-26. Los Angeles struggled beyond the arc, shooting 33.3% compared to Connecticut’s 57.1%, aside from a dagger three from Sydney Weise to bring the score within one point in the last two minutes. Nneka Ogwumike notched her 4000th career point with a layup off a Chelsea Gray assist.

Once the Sparks claimed the lead with a Riquna Williams 3-pointer at 31-29, the score bounced back-and-forth for the last five minutes of the quarter. With 13 seconds left and a tied game, Connecticut’s Courtney Williams missed two free throws and another shot attempt before Ogwumike grabbed the rebound. Riquna Williams beat the buzzer with a corner three to give the Sparks a 42-39 lead at the half. Jonquel Jones led all scorers with 12 points, but Los Angeles boasted a balanced attack, led by Riquna Williams nine points. Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray and Candace Parker added six points each.

The Sparks outscored the Sun 23-13 in the third as Riquna Williams, Gray and Ogwumike each hit double-digit scoring. Riquna Williams immediately lit up the third quarter with a 3-pointer off of a Parker assist, which moved Parker up to 15th all-time in assists (1209). Gray threw behind her back to Ogwumike who blew past three defenders to give the Sparks a ten-point lead as the clock wound down to two minutes remaining in the quarter. Alana Beard added two more points to enter the fourth with a 65-52 lead.

Parker tacked on five more points, and Riquna Williams hit her fifth 3-pointer to extend the Sparks lead to 75-63. The Sparks were outrebounded 33-26, but shot 48.4% from the field and 37.5% beyond the arc compared to the Sun’s 41.2% and 36.4%. They held Connecticut’s Jones to just four points in the second half after Jones scored 12 in the first half. With one minute left in the game, Ogwumike and Parker chest bumped in front of the scorer’s table after subbing out for the bench to close the game. Ogwumike finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four steals, while Parker added 13 points and five assists.