A matchup between the team ranked No. 2 in the AP WNBA power poll against a team ranked second to last proved to be anything but straightforward.
Though the unbeaten Los Angeles Sparks prevailed over the San Antonio Stars, it was a tight affair and these teams meet again Saturday night to complete a home-and-home set.
Los Angeles (6-0) continued its best start since opening 9-0 in 2003 with a 68-61 home victory Thursday over San Antonio. Nneka Ogwumike had 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Stars (1-4) never led but tied the game at 54-all with 6:28 left on Sydney Colson's steal and layup for her only basket of the game. The Sparks answered with a 9-0 run - with six points from Ogwumike - and were never threatened again.
Los Angeles led by as many as nine in the opening quarter before going on a field-goal drought of 8:12 to start the second as San Antonio got back into the game. The contest stayed tight throughout before the Sparks held on for their fourth straight victory over the Stars, ranked No. 11.
The Sparks prevailed despite a quiet night from Candace Parker, who scored 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting although she added a season-high seven assists with five boards.
Kayla McBride scored 20 points and Kayla Alexander had a career-high 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her first double-double for the Stars, who held a 38-30 rebounding edge.
The growing pains continue for Moriah Jefferson, the No. 2 pick out of Connecticut. Jefferson scored five points in 21 minutes and has reached double digits in points just once.
The Sparks have won their last two visits to San Antonio after losing their previous three there.
