Charles score 21, Liberty use big run to top Sparks 83-69 (Aug 13, 2017)

By AP
Published

NEW YORK (AP) Tina Charles scored 21 points and the New York Liberty used their biggest run of the season to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 83-69 on Sunday for their third-straight win.

Shavonte Zellous added 19 points and Epiphanny Prince 18 for the Liberty (15-12), who used a 20-0 run in the second quarter to lead 44-35 at the half.

Odyssey Sims had 18 points and Chelsea Gray 15 for the Sparks (19-8). Candace Parker added 14 points, 10 in the first quarter when Los Angeles hit its first six shots and 7 of 9 overall to take a 27-16 lead.

Kia Vaughn started the comeback with a layup and Prince hit a 3-pointer for a 34-33 lead. Neka Ogwumike's layup with 32 seconds left ended the Los Angeles drought. The Liberty held the Sparks to eight points in the quarter, the best defensive quarter for New York and worse on offense for Los Angeles this season.

The Sparks got within five several times in the third quarter and trailed by six entering the fourth quarter but never put together a challenge.