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 Sparks rally Leslie leads Los Angeles in overtime
Posted: Saturday July 24, 1999 09:00 PM
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- Lisa Leslie scored nine of her 22 points in overtime as the Los Angeles Sparks overcame a 16-point, first-half deficit to defeat the New York Liberty 75-72 on Saturday. Leslie hit two free throws 17 seconds into the overtime and her layup and 3-pointer put the Sparks ahead 69-64 with 3 1/2 minutes left. Her 4-foot hook and La'Keshia Frett's three free throws increased the lead to 74-64 with 48 seconds remaining. Liberty reserve Crystal Robinson's two free throws and three-point baskets with 28 and 25 seconds left cut the deficit to three at the end. DeLisha Milton missed a chance to put the game out of reach when she missed two free throws with 23 seconds remaining. Mwadi Mabika had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Milton added 12 points and Gordana Grubin 11 for the Sparks. Robinson had 23 points, including seven 3-pointers, and Kim Hampton added 13 before fouling out with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation. Sophia Witherspoon had 11 and Johnson had 10. Teresa Weatherspoon had 12 assists for the Liberty, which has lost two in a row and fallen into a tie with idle Detroit for the Eastern Conference lead. Playing before an announced crowd of 6,896 at the Forum, New York took a 35-25 halftime lead, but was outscored 13-3 at the start of the second half. The score was tied three more times before Robinson's 3-pointer gave the Liberty a 54-49 lead. Mabika's 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining forced overtime.
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