Poor Finish Ends the Sparks’ Streak

The Sparks’ four-game winning streak ended Tuesday in an 84-74 loss in which they failed to score a basket in the final 5:21 while the Washington Mystics closed the game on a 17-4 run.

Lisa Leslie scored only 10 points on four-for-13 shooting and the Sparks (23-7) made only four of 20 shots in the fourth quarter.

“It was just not a great night for me,” Leslie said. “Early on, they came out with a zone, so I was doing most of the passing as opposed to scoring. I wasn’t in a good rhythm.”

Alana Beard scored 29 points and former Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones keyed the pivotal late rally to help the Mystics to their season-high fourth straight victory.

Beard made 11 of 17 shots and had nine rebounds for Washington (16-13). She also had four assists and repeatedly hurt the Sparks with her slashing drives.

“She probably played the greatest game I’ve seen her play since I’ve been here,” Washington Coach Richie Adubato said. “She carried us.”

Beard scored 13 of the Mystics’ first 26 points in the second half, including eight straight at one point late in the third quarter to help Washington rally from an eight-point deficit.

“This is a huge defining moment for this team because we’re learning how to close out games,” Beard said. “Where in the past, we’ve hung with teams until the fourth quarter, started making mistakes and not executing, tonight, we did everything right.”

Milton-Jones finished with 18 points and sparked an 8-0 run that gave the Mystics a 75-70 lead with 2:38 left. Washington never trailed again in overcoming a balanced Sparks attack featuring six players in double figures.

Nakia Sanford and Chasity Melvin led Washington’s tough defense on Leslie.

Christi Thomas and former Mystics forward Chamique Holdsclaw led the Sparks with 12 points apiece.

“Washington is a talented team,” Sparks Coach Joe Bryant said. “If they play with that kind of intensity, they’ll be fine. They’re a tough group.”