LOS ANGELES (AP) Sheryl Swoopes scored a season-high 31 points as the Houston Comets beat the cold-shooting Los Angeles Sparks 67-64 to move into first place in the Western Conference.

The Comets (23-7) took a half-game lead over the Sparks (22-7) and gained the playoff tiebreaker by winning the season series 2-1.

Houston has two games left in the regular season, and the defending league champion Sparks have three left. If both teams win their remaining games, the Comets would earn the conference title and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Sparks shot a franchise-worst 25.7 percent, making only 19 of 74 attempts, and failed to score from the field in a nearly six-minute stretch late in the game.

Swoopes made all 13 of her free throws, including six in the final 54 seconds to seal the victory. Rookie forward Michelle Snow added 16 points and 11 rebounds in her first WNBA start, and Janeth Arcain had 12 points.

Mwadi Mabika led Los Angeles with 27 points, and Lisa Leslie had 19 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with 3:16 to play.

After Leslie's layup gave the Sparks a 52-50 lead with 5:56 remaining, Los Angeles did not make another basket until DeLisha Milton hit a 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left.

Houston played without star forward Tina Thompson, who remained in Houston to undergo treatment for a hip injury. She was hurt Tuesday night against Cleveland.

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