Leslie, Parker lead Sparks past Lynx 92-84

Lisa Leslie scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 92-84 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.

Leslie and rookie Candace Parker each finished with 23 points for the Sparks, in a game that featured one third of the U.S. Olympic roster.

“To finish and get one is great, and obviously it is a good feeling for the girls that don’t have to practice for three weeks,” Leslie said.

Seimone Augustus—who will join Leslie, Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones on Team USA—had 29 points for the Lynx (13-13), who missed all six of their shots in overtime. The 24-year-old Augustus also became the second-fastest and the second-youngest WNBA player to reach 2,000 points, needing only 93 games to reach the milestone. Cynthia Cooper needed 90 games to reach the mark in 2000. Seattle’s Lauren Jackson was 23 when she scored her 2,000th point.

Charde Houston, listed as doubtful before the game with an injured left knee, came off the bench to add 15 points for the Lynx.

“Once you’re out there, it’s kinda like you’re injured, but you don’t want to show your opponent that you are,” said Houston, who limped with an ice pack on her knee after the game.
Los Angeles Sparks Candace Parker falls to the floor against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half a WNBA basketball game in Minneapolis on Sunday, July 27, 2008. Sparks won 92-84 in overtime.
Los Angeles Sparks Candace Par…
AP - Jul 27, 9:28 pm EDT

Lindsey Harding went 1-for-2 from the line with 1:49 left in the half to tie the game at 84. With the clock ticking down, Augustus missed from the perimeter, giving the Sparks one last chance to win the game in regulation, but Parker couldn’t inbound the ball with .7 seconds left and the game went to overtime.

Los Angeles outscored Minnesota 7-0 in the extra period as Augustus missed some crucial jumpshots and a layup.