Sparks 86, Sky 77
Nneka Ogwumike collected 30 points and 11 rebounds, while DeLisha Milton-Jones added 19 as the Los Angeles Sparks claimed an 86-77 WNBA victory over the Chicago Sky on Thursday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Sparks (21-10) held off a late comeback by the Sky (12-18) to secure their second win in three games.
Alana Beard had 13 points and Candace Parker added 11 for the winners as the Sparks avenged an 85-74 Chicago win on Sept. 2 at Allstate Arena.
The Sky trailed 79-67 with 3 minutes, 20 seconds left in regulation and launched a 10-2 run that included five points from Epiphanny Prince as the Sparks' lead slipped to 81-77 with 51 seconds to go.
However, former Chicago player Kristi Toliver hit a free throw with 30 seconds left, and Ogwumike made a layup 1.1 seconds later to pad the lead.
Swin Cash scored 23 points, while Prince and Tamera Young had 19 and 12 points, respectively.
Chicago trailed by just four entering the final quarter, but Los Angeles pushed the lead to 68-61 on Ogwumike's free throw with 6:55 left and later extended it to 12 points at 79-67 thanks to Ogwumike's layup with 3:20 left.
The Sparks fell behind early, then used a 10-0 first-quarter run to take a 13-4 lead on the way to a 27-18 advantage after one. Los Angeles led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before settling for a 44-35 halftime advantage.
Ogwumike topped the Sparks with 14 points and five rebounds in the first half. Parker had five points and four rebounds as Los Angeles shot 47 percent from the field before the break.
Prince and Young had eight points each after two quarters, while Courtney Vandersloot added six.
Chicago battled back in the third quarter, with Cash's 3-pointer cutting the deficit to 61-56. Prince then hit two free throws with one minute left to trim Los Angeles' lead to 61-57 entering the fourth quarter.
The Sparks play at home again Friday vs. the Connecticut Sun. The Sky continues a western swing Sunday when they play at Phoenix against the Mercury.
