Leslie Makes Sure Skid Ends

Lisa Leslie had 17 points and 13 rebounds -- her ninth double-double of the season -- to lead the Sparks past the Phoenix Mercury, 54-48, Saturday night before 7,964 fans at Phoenix.

DeLisha Milton had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Sparks (10-2), who had lost two in a row after opening the season with nine consecutive victories.

Adrian Williams had 12 points and six rebounds for Phoenix (2-9), which has lost two in a row.

Leslie, averaging 19.6 points and 10.2 rebounds, played much of the second half in foul trouble.

Milton had 12 points on five-for seven shooting and five rebounds in the first half, while Leslie had eight points and four rebounds. The score was tied at 29 at halftime.

Tamicha Jackson had eight points, six rebounds and seven assists for Phoenix, which shot 28% from the field (18 of 65).

Phoenix began the game with the worst shooting percentage in the WNBA at 37%.

The Sparks went on an 11-2 run midway through the first half to take a 21-15 lead with 8:26 left.

But Phoenix scored the last seven points of the half to get even at intermission.

Houston 63, Cleveland 62 -- Tina Thompson had 17 points -- including a decisive layup with 12 seconds remaining -- for the Comets (6-6) before 7,742 fans at Houston.

Cleveland’s Penny Taylor missed a three-point shot with 1.7 seconds left in the game.

Michelle Snow had 14 points and Sheryl Swoopes 12 for Houston.

Chasity Melvin led the Rockers (6-3) with 15 points and Taylor had 11.

The Rockers were strong defensively in the first 10 minutes, holding the Comets to just six points and 11% shooting.

But the Comets went on a 19-8 run over eight minutes to take a 29-24 lead with 2:47 left in the first half.

But after Melvin completed a three-point play to get the Rockers within two, Swoopes scored six consecutive points as Houston took a 35-27 lead into the break.

Minnesota 66, Indiana 58 -- Katie Smith scored 19 points before 5,755 fans at Minneapolis as the Lynx (5-6) ended a two-game losing streak.

Reserve Coretta Brown had 20 points for Indiana (5-4), which had won its three previous games.

Smith made just five of 13 shots but converted all eight of her free throws -- including six in the final four minutes.

Indiana’s Tamika Catchings, averaging 18 points, was held to seven on three-for-10 shooting. She left the game after being elbowed in the face with two minutes remaining in the second half but is expected to play in the Fever’s next game, Tuesday at Detroit.

Minnesota led, 32-26, at halftime. The Lynx pushed its lead to 52-39 midway through the second half after Kristi Harrower scored eight of her 10 points during a 12-3 spurt. The Fever never got closer than five points the rest of the way, shooting just 38% for the game.

The Lynx shot only 34% but made 21 free throws to Indiana’s nine.

Sacramento 69, Seattle 64 -- Yolanda Griffith had 22 points and 12 rebounds in a victory for the Monarchs (5-7) before 9,269 fans at Sacramento.

Reserve forward DeMya Walker scored six of her nine points in a late 9-0 run as the Monarchs erased a one-point deficit. Walker tied it with a free throw, then scored on a driving layup to give Sacramento the lead for good with 2:53 remaining.

After Griffith scored inside, Walker grabbed a rebound, made a shot and put the Monarchs ahead, 62-56, with 1:05 left.

Lauren Jackson had 19 points and nine rebounds for Seattle (5-5).

Sue Bird had 14 points and six assists, and Sandy Brondello added 13 points for Seattle, which has lost nine of 11 overall to the Monarchs and has never won in Sacramento.