equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, addi

LOS ANGELES -- Stars filed into Staples Center to watch Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. Cedric the Entertainer, Magic Johnson and the Mamba himself sat courtside Sunday, hoping to see the Sparks clinch the WNBA championship for the first time since 2002.The proverbial stars, however, did not align for the Sparks. Maya Moore scored 31 points and Minnesota won 85-79 to force the WNBA Finals to a decisive Game 5 on Thursday (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET).I think we fought today, Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike said. When it comes to the focus and awareness, we can sharpen up there, and I think thats what we have to do.Minnesotas game plan was to make someone other than Ogwumike and Candace Parker beat the Lynx. The duo finished with 25 total points, well below their combined playoffs average of 36.9 points per game.Chelsea Gray almost became that player, turning in a performance of 20 points while shooting 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. In the end, however, even her herculean performance wasnt enough to lift the Sparks over the top.Obviously Im disappointed that we didnt win and close it out, but Im not thinking its over, said an emotional Parker, slumped in a chair. I think our team has done things the hard way all year, so this is another test for us.Nothing came easy for Parker on Sunday. She fought and scraped for 14 points, and managed only three rebounds. Even with Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson on the bench for much of the second quarter in foul trouble, Parker struggled to take advantage.Still, the Sparks kept the game close. They had plenty of chances to take control -- and even win -- but they kept getting in their own way.We have to play with a little bit more poise down the stretch, Sparks guard Kristi Toliver said. We have to be aggressive, assertive, decisive, and I think that in those last 1:30, we werent that, and thats going to be the difference.Game 5 demands that the Sparks march into Minneapolis to get a win, something theyve done twice this season. With a championship on the line, it will surely be an intense game, but the Sparks know what needs to be done to leave the Twin Cities victorious, even if they dont know from experience what it takes to win a championship.Weve got to fight, Alana Beard said. We need to do the little things, go back to fundamentals, keep Sylvia [Fowles] out of the lane, and everyone making it a point to box out. Its obvious that when they outrebound us on the offensive end, they win the game.Los Angeles also will need to find an answer for Maya Moore. The veteran torched the Sparks defense for 31 points. And Fowles helped the Lynx outrebound The Sparks 41-25.The definite takeaway from Game 4 is that the Sparks arent going down without a fight, and theyre going to Minnesota with their eyes on the prize.Game 5 is going to be exactly like Game 4. Its going to be a dogfight. Its going to be up-and-down. Its going to be physical, Toliver said. Hopefully well learn from this experience [Sunday] of knowing how to close out a series. Danton Heinen Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Patrice Bergeron Jersey . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/gerry-cheevers-hockey-jersey/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Patrice Bergeron Bruins Jersey . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Derek Sanderson Bruins Jersey . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. DAYTON, Ohio -- Alex Jeske threw for 248 yards and a touchdown and ran for three more to lead Dayton to a 37-21 win over Valparaiso on Saturday.Jeske completed 18 of 24 passes and added 59 on the ground on nine carries as the Flyers (7-2, 6-1 Pioneer) finished 6-0 at home.Jeske connected with Adam Trautman for a 29-yard touchdown to open the scoring before the Crusaders tied the game on a 1-yard run by Austin Petrie. Jeske broke the tie with a 5-yard run in the first quarter then added a 332-yarder in the second and a 7-yard run in the third as Dayton opened a 31-7 lead.dddddddddddd Senior Owen Williams followed with a 1-yard TD plunge, his first score this season.Valparaiso (3-7, 2-5) added two late touchdowns, including a second for Petrie.Dayton finished with 522 yards while holding Valparaiso to 315 with three turnovers that led to 21 points. ' ' '