Mystics No Match for Sparks, 95-79

The Sparks quickly shook off their opening-game debacle.

The Sparks’ frontcourt dominated, with Mwadi Mabika and DeLisha Milton-Jones scoring 20 points apiece Tuesday night as the Sparks routed the Washington Mystics, 95-79, in front of 12,117 at Washington.

The Sparks lost their opening game by 26 points at Seattle on Saturday night.

“The last game we played, I think the players were being a little bit too selfish, because they wanted to do something good for the team,” Coach Michael Cooper said.

“That’s not the right thing to do. You’ve got to create shots for your teammate. And when it’s your turn to shoot, shoot the ball and it will go in.”

Mabika scored six points in a 14-4 run to open the second half, putting the Sparks (1-1) in control.

The defending Western Conference champions built a 28-point lead with their strong inside game.

Mabika, Milton-Jones, Lisa Leslie and reserve Tamika Whitmore accounted for 68 of the Sparks’ points and were a combined 24 for 40 from the field against Washington.

“In Seattle, it was just baffling,” said Leslie, who had 18 points and seven rebounds. “We were playing like we didn’t know each other. But tonight we were just really in sync.”

Chamique Holdsclaw had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mystics (1-2).

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Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoopes each scored 17 points at Uncasville, Conn., as the Houston Comets (2-2) rolled to a 68-57 victory over the Connecticut Sun (0-2) in front of 3,846.