Streaking Sparks rally past Mystics

LOS ANGELES >> Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray scored 17 points apiece and the Sparks rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to beat the Washington Mystics 76-69 on Sunday at Staples Center.

Parker grabbed 11 rebounds, Nneka Ogwumike who played the entire second half with four fouls had 15 points and Alana Beard added 13 for Los Angeles (12-3). The Sparks have won six in a row against the Mystics and eight straight overall.

Washington (10-6) led 47-30 at the break and had a 14-point lead with six minutes left in the third quarter after Krystal Thomas’ putback of her own missed layup. Riquna Williams hit back-to-back 3-pointers to ignite a 20-4 run that gave L.A. its first lead since the opening minutes, 59-57 with 8:30 remaining. Parker scored seven points during that stretch and the Sparks never again trailed.

Kristi Tolliver’s ruing bank shot made it 69-all with 3:03 left but Beard answered with a jumper and the Mystics went 0 for 8 from the field and had a shot-clock violation from there.

Elena Delle Doe led Washington with 22 points, but scored just two in the final 17-plus minutes.

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