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Sparks lose to Mystics, 92-84, in triple overtime

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Point guard Ivory Latta scored 14 points and made clutch shots in the three overtime periods, and the Washington Mystics overcame 31 turnovers for a 92-84 victory over the Sparks on Sunday.

Rookie Bria Hartley had a season-high 20 points for the Mystics (3-2).

Candace Parker had 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Sparks (2-2), who had defeated Washington five consecutive times. The Sparks led in the final seconds of the first two overtime periods, but could not finish off the Mystics.

“We had a lot of chances to close it out,” Parker said. “Regulation, the first overtime, the second overtime. You play with fire so much you’re going to get burned.”

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After missing a potential winning jump shot in regulation, Latta made an off-balance three-point basket to tie the score, 66-66, with 5.9 seconds remaining in the first overtime. She tied the score, 78-78, with two free throws with five seconds left in the second overtime.

“We hung in there. We executed down the stretch,” Latta said.

The Sparks discussed Latta’s skills in preparation for the first of two games against Washington this season.

“It’s not about how many [Latta] gets, but when she gets them,” Sparks Coach Carol Ross said. “Latta likes to take over the fourth quarter and in this case the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, the seventh.”

The Sparks shot 33% from the field. Parker was 10 of 28 and the starting backcourt of Lindsey Harding (13 points) and Alana Beard were a combined eight of 33.

Parker also had six assists and six steals. She made 11 of 12 free throws, but her miss came on the front end of two tries with 11.5 seconds remaining in the first overtime.

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