Sparks Hold Off Chicago for a 64-55 Victory

Lisa Leslie had 19 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Sparks past the Chicago Sky, 64-55, Tuesday night.

Leslie also had four blocked shots and four assists. Murriel Page had 10 points and Mwadi Mabika and Tamara Moore added eight each for the Sparks (3-1).

Stacey Lovelace had eight points, 11 rebounds and two blocks for the Sky (1-3). Jia Perkins scored 12 points and Amanda Lassiter added 11.

The Sparks were in control in the first half, leading by as many as 16.

“It was great defense,” said Leslie of her team’s effort in the opening half. “That’s what we pride ourselves on.”

The Sky made it close in the second half, going on a 7-1 run to make it 53-50 with 5:31 remaining.

Lovelace had all seven points for the Sky.

Trailing, 42-24, early in the third quarter, Chicago took advantage of some sloppy play by the Sparks to go on a 14-0 run to make it 42-38 with 2:03 left in the quarter.

The Sky shot seven of 13 from the field in the period.

The Sky struggled from the floor in the first half, making only 17.2% of its shots, including two of 15 in the second quarter. The Sparks had a 24-14 rebounding advantage in the first half, and finished with a 26-18 edge in points in the paint.

The Sparks extended their lead to 15 points with a 9-3 run to end the first half up, 35-20. Down, 6-4, in the first quarter, they went on a 12-2 run.

The Sparks played their fourth consecutive game without Chamique Holdsclaw, who left the team to attend to family matters.

* WNBA BOX SCORES...D8