June 19, 2002
SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Sparks usually don't need
much help, but Lauren Jackson gave it to them anyway.
Jackson mistakenly put a shot in her own basket to help fuel a
second-half run by the Sparks, who overcame the absence of Lisa
Leslie for their fifth straight triumph, an 80-68 victory over
the Seattle Storm.
With Leslie, the reigning WNBA MVP, out of the lineup with
flu-like symptoms, Jackson had a big game with 23 points, 10
rebounds and four blocks. But she lost her bearings for a brief
second, helping Los Angeles during its pivotal spurt.
Mwadi Mabika scored and was fouled with 11:14 left, giving the
Sparks a 55-52 lead. She missed the free throw and Jackson
rebounded before inexplicably putting the ball back in her own
basket.
The hoop was credited to Delisha Milton, who made a 3-pointer on
the next trip to cap the 11-0 surge and give LA a 60-52
advantage with 10:32 to go. Milton started for Leslie and had
20 points and nine boards.
The Storm closed to 65-62 on two free throws by Jackson with
5:22 left, but the Sparks scored the next seven points. A free
throw by Milton made it 72-62 with just under four minutes
remaining.
Mabika had 23 points and nine rebounds and Tamecka Dixon scored
16 points for the Sparks (8-1), who shot 44 percent (26-of-59)
from the field and improved to 5-1 on the road.
Rookie Sue Bird scored 12 points and Kamila Vodichkova added 10
for the Storm, who shot just 37.5 percent (24-of-64) and
committed 18 turnovers in losing for the fourth time in five
games.
Los Angeles improved to 6-1 all-time against Seattle.
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