Fast start lifts Sparks to victory

Sidney Spencer had career highs of 24 points and 12 rebounds to help the Sparks beat the Phoenix Mercury, 87-77, Friday night, breaking a franchise-record seven-game losing streak.

Mwadi Mabika had 21 points for the Sparks (8-13), who scored the game’s first seven points and never trailed.

Cappie Pondexter scored 23 points and Penny Taylor had 14 for the Mercury (12-10), which has lost three of four. Diana Taurasi was held to nine points on two-for-10 shooting.

The Sparks led by as many as 16 in the first half and held a 51-42 lead with 8:00 remaining in the third quarter.

Pondexter and Taylor each made three-point baskets and Taurasi made her first field goal to cap a 9-0 run and tie the score, 51-51.

However, Sherill Baker scored consecutive baskets to end the third and Mabika and Spencer added three-point baskets starting the fourth to cap a 12-0 run and give the Sparks a 65-53 lead with 9:22 to play.

The Sparks, who scored 24 of their points off 20 Phoenix turnovers, led by as many as 14 points in the final minutes.

Spencer, averaging 8.3 points for the season, scored 16 on four-for-six shooting from beyond the arc and by adding four free throws. She made consecutive three-point baskets and Mabika added another as the Sparks opened an 18-4 lead with 4:01 to play in the first.