Los Angeles Sparks of USA star, Nneka Ogwumike was an undisputed heroine on the night, as she hit home a last-minute winner for her side in a 98-97 win over New York Liberty after a dramatic double-digit comeback, Sports247 reports.
It was a double milestone for Ogwumike, as her feat came on that USA’s Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) marked its 30th anniversary in style, and she stole the headlines with a last-second 3-pointer.
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Ogwumike’s magic beat the buzzer by split seconds, as the Nigerian-born veteran forward released a long throw that splashed through the net as time expire, sending the Los Angeles crowd into frenzy, while Sparks’ players gathered to celebrate.
With eight seconds remaining on the clock and Liberty up by two, Erica Wheeler drove down the court for a last-ditch play then found Ogwumike outside the arc from the paint, marking a fitting end for the team that controlled most of the game.
The biggest momentum for Ogwumike’s side came after the first quarter, while they had also gone by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, but a fourth-quarter comeback pulled The Liberty back within a few points of their hosts.
Both teams traded points in the final minutes and a clutch performance from Ogwumike kept The Sparks in it, with the veteran scoring eight of her 24 total points in the final two minutes of the game.
On the final possession before Ogwumike’s game-winner, Liberty star Breanna Stewart missed one of her two free throw attempts, which left The Sparks open to tie or win the game on one score, which hit a climax when the heroine struck.
Ogwumike, who has played for Los Angeles for all but two of her 15-year career, said afterwards: “I’ve been with the Sparks for so long. It’s emotional seeing all these legends in the building. They’re still coming here and supporting us. I’m so grateful.”
Sports247 gathered further that Ogwumike’s 24 points led both teams, while Rae Burrell had 19 points off the bench and it was a big win for The Sparks, who hold an 8-8 record on the WNBA’s current season.
