Young hits winner as time expires, forcing Game 3 in Western finals
| Top Performers |
|---|
| LOS ANGELES |
SAN ANTONIO |
|
C. Parker
Points: 19
Reb: 17
Ast: 2
Stl: 3
Blk: 5
|
|
S. Young
Points: 21
Reb: 11
Ast: 1
Stl: 1
Blk: 0
|
| Game Leaders |
| | LOS ANGELES | SAN ANTONIO |
| Points | C. Parker 19 | S. Young 21 |
| Rebounds | C. Parker 17 | S. Young 11 |
| Assists | S. Bobbitt 4 | A. Wauters 4 |
| Steals | C. Parker 3 | A. Wauters 1 |
| Blocks | C. Parker 5 | B. Hammon 2 |
| · Team stats: Los Angeles | San Antonio |
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio coach Dan Hughes had no doubt who was going to take the final shot with the Silver Stars season on the line -- Sophia Young.
Fast Facts
• Sophia Young's turnaround shot as time expired gave San Antonio the dramatic victory and forced a deciding Game 3 on Sunday in San Antonio.
• San Antonio is trying to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time. Los Angeles has been in the finals seven times, but not since 2003.
• The Sparks have lost four straight in San Antonio, their last win there was on July 26, 2006.
-- ESPN research
Young delivered with a 14-foot turnaround shot at the buzzer to lift the Silver Stars to a 67-66 win over the Los Angeles Sparks Saturday, and forced a deciding game 3 in the Western Conference Finals.
"She's just a player you can get a lot from in those situations," Hughes said. "It's not about the play, it's about the player."
Young finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead San Antonio.
Los Angeles rallied from a 14-point deficit to take a one-point lead with 1.3 seconds left on Delisha Milton-Jones' layup.
After a timeout, San Antonio took the ball at half court. Young grabbed the inbounds pass and hit the turnaround from the wing to keep the Silver Stars' playoff hopes alive.
"If you've got players who are playmakers, as a coach its' your job to get them the ball," Hughes said. "I have a few of those. That's why we're still playing."
The final game of the series will be played on Sunday.
"I thought it was a very, very, very well played basketball game by both team," Sparks coach Michael Cooper said. "San Antonio showed you why they are the top in the Western Conference with the record they have; then we showed why we are an up and coming team. The Western Conference is at stake, so both teams will go at it again."
Candace Parker led Los Angeles with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Lisa Leslie, who scored 22 points in game 1, had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Milton-Jones finished with 14 points.
"It was a great shot," said three-time MVP Lisa Leslie. "You need a little luck to play this game. Hail Mary right?
"But we still feel really good about our chances."
Los Angeles took a 64-60 lead on Milton-Jones' layup with 1:33 left in the fourth. Young sparked a 5-0 run hitting two free throws with 11 seconds left to give San Antonio a 65-64 advantage.
Becky Hammon added 19 points and Ann Wauters had 11 as San Antonio is looking for its first trip to the finals. They advanced to the Western Conference finals last year, but lost to the eventual champions, the Phoenix Mercury.
Los Angeles is looking to return to its first Finals since 2003, where they lost to the Detroit Shock. They won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002.
The Sparks have not won on San Antonio's home floor since July 26th, 2006.
The teams split the regular season series 2-2, with each team winning on their home floor.
Sparks 66, 
Silver Stars 67