Minnesota continues Sparks’ downfall

Svetlana Abrosimova and Seimone Augustus scored 23 points each and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Sparks, 85-76, on Friday night at Minneapolis, ending the WNBA team’s franchise-record-tying 10-game losing streak.

The Lynx (6-20), which led the Sparks (8-15) by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter, beat a team with a losing record for the first time in 10 tries this season.

The Sparks fell four games behind Seattle in the race for the fourth and final Western Conference playoff spot. Mwadi Mabika had 12 of her 14 points in the first half for the Sparks, and Marta Fernandez added 12 points.

With the Lynx holding a 46-41 lead early in the second half, Augustus scored five points in a 9-0 run, including a free throw after a technical was assessed to Sparks Coach Michael Cooper for arguing. A layup by Nicole Ohlde and drive by Augustus made it 61-46.

Fernandez scored five consecutive points midway through the final quarter to get the Sparks within 75-70, but a jump shot and two free throws by Augustus and a three-pointer by Abrosimova pushed the lead back to 12.

“We’re going to have breakdowns here and there, that’s part of the game,” said the Sparks’ Kiesha Brown. “You just have to stay constant through it all.”

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The depression Chamique Holdsclaw battled throughout her WNBA career may have played a role in her decision to retire.

Tennessee’s Pat Summitt, Holdsclaw’s college coach, said Holdsclaw first told her she was considering retirement while she was playing with the Washington Mystics. Summitt said Holdsclaw hasn’t decided on what to do in the future but is enjoying life and not being in a routine.

“She just feels like it’s best for her not to play if she can’t bring it all every night,” Summitt said of Holdsclaw.