LOS ANGELES (AP) Lisa Leslie hit two free throws to snap a tie with 1:38 remaining and the Los Angeles Sparks escaped with a 90-86 victory over the Utah Starzz on Sunday night, ending a two-game losing streak at Staples Center.

Utah dropped to 1-10 in Los Angeles, and failed to clinch a WNBA playoff berth despite leading by six points with six minutes remaining against the defending champions.

Leslie finished with 26 points, and shot 15-of-19 from the free-throw line. She scored five points in the final 2:12.

Mwadi Mabika added 25 points, including a 3-pointer that gave the Sparks their first lead, 82-81, since early in the second half.

Leslie made four consecutive free throws to give the Sparks an 87-83 lead with 49 seconds left. But Jennifer Azzi hit a 3-pointer to draw the Starzz within one.

With the shot clock winding down, Mabika tossed up a 3-point attempt that missed, but LaTasha Byears grabbed the ball and scored underneath as the clock expired for an 89-86 lead.

Marie Ferdinand led Utah with 25 points. Semeka Randall added 15 points as the Starzz lost their third in a row on the road.

Margo Dydek, Utah's 7-foot center, had averaged 24 points and 13.5 rebounds in her last two games, but was held to six points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes.

Los Angeles improved to 3-0 against Utah this season.

The Sparks increased their Western Conference lead over second-place Houston to one game, and four games over third-place Utah.

The Sparks blew a 17-point lead in the first half.

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