Sparks Can’t Overcome Play of Lynx’s Smith

Katie Smith scored 24 points and made two key three-point shots to lead the Minnesota Lynx past the Sparks, 68-65, Wednesday night.

Chamique Holdsclaw scored 14 points and had 11 rebounds to lead five Spark players in double figures. Lisa Leslie scored 13 points but started slowly, making one of her first 10 shots.

Minnesota led by 18 points early in the second half, but the Sparks used a 17-4 run, capped by Leslie’s three-point basket, to cut the deficit to 50-45 with 9:45 to play.

Leslie made a running bank shot to give the Sparks their first lead, 59-58.

Smith then made consecutive three-point shots to put Minnesota up by five points. She missed two free throws with 10.2 seconds left, but Svetlana Abrosimova’s steal and two free throws helped secure the victory.

Minnesota reserve Amber Jacobs scored nine points in a 23-11 run to finish the first half.

Jacobs made her six free throws and made a three-point basket. Her assists to Nicole Ohlde and Abrosimova for layups helped the Lynx take a 38-24 lead.