Las Vegas (KSNV) — Jackie Young had her first triple-double and A’ja Wilson scored 17 of her 34 points in a dominant first quarter that propelled the Las Vegas Aces to an 89-74 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday night, ending the Sparks five-game winning streak and spoiling the return of Cameron Brink.
Brink played 13 minutes and scored five points in her first game since the 2024 No. 2 draft pick tore her left ACL last June, early in her rookie season.
Wilson made all eight of her shots as the Aces led 31-18 after one quarter and the Sparks never seriously threatened.
Young had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Aces (14-13). Dana Evans added 10 points. Wilson also had 10 rebounds and Chelsea Gray nine assists.
Kelsey Plum had 22 points for the Sparks (11-14), who scored more than 90 points in five straight games and hit 101 in the last two. Rae Burrell had a season-high 17 and Dearica Hamby added 15.
Los Angeles averaged 11 3-pointers and shot better than 50% in the last four games but finished at 37.7% with a season-low four 3-pointers. Plum was 0 for 6 behind the arc and is 1 of 17 in three games against her former team.
Jewell Loyd, coming off the bench for the second straight game, drilled a 3 that made it 29-11. Brink knocked down a 3 moments later for her first basket since she was injured on June 18, 2024.
The Sparks cut the deficit to nine early in the second quarter but Wilson made the next two baskets and the Aces led 48-34 at halftime.
Wilson had 23 points at the break on 11-of-13 shooting and Las Vegas had 16 assists on 20 baskets.
The lead reached 19 in the third quarter and it was 70-53 entering the fourth quarter.
Pete Carroll, the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, has emphasized a culture built on competition and positive energy in training camp.
Key aspects of Carroll’s energetic approach:
Competition at the forefront: Carroll’s philosophy revolves around healthy competition, challenging players to constantly improve and bring out the best in each other.
Contagious energy: Players like wide receiver Jakobi Meyers have noted Carroll’s infectious enthusiasm, which serves as a powerful motivator for the entire team.
Focus on buy-in: Carroll demands a full commitment from his players, expecting them to embrace his vision and give their maximum effort in practice.
Building a new mentality: Carroll is actively working to establish a different mindset within the Raiders organization, one that prioritizes a winning attitude.
High expectations: Despite recent struggles for the Raiders franchise, Carroll has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to win games under his guidance.
In Carroll’s words:
“We’re building a whole new mentality here.”
“Our expectations are really high that the guys are all in and they’re tapping in every day.”
“We want to win a bunch [of games], I can’t even imagine anything [else],”
Carroll’s approach with the Raiders reflects his long-standing coaching philosophy, which emphasizes competition, a positive environment, and holding players accountable. After taking a year off from coaching in 2024, Carroll returns with a renewed perspective and the same unwavering enthusiasm.
Yes, the UNLV Rebels football team is currently experiencing a quarterback battle between Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea for the starting position in the upcoming 2025 season.
Alex Orji, a transfer from Michigan, is known as a dual-threat quarterback with significant athletic ability. He has the potential to be a breakout player if he can improve his passing skills.
Anthony Colandrea, who transferred from Virginia, is considered a more traditional pocket passer with more experience. He has demonstrated a strong arm and playmaking ability, but has also had issues with turnovers.
This competition is a key storyline for the Rebels as they head into the season under new head coach Dan Mullen, who has a history of developing quarterbacks. The outcome of this battle will likely significantly impact the team’s performance. There’s speculation that both quarterbacks might see playing time, particularly early in the season.