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Thompson leads Sparks past Shock

Jul 14, 2010 - 2:52 AM TULSA, Okla.(AP) -- Tina Thompson scored 24 points and Delisha Milton-Jones added 17 to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 87-71 victory over Tulsa on Tuesday night, extending the Shock's losing streak to 12 games.

Former Oklahoma State star Andrea Riley added 14 points for the Sparks (5-13). She hit three 3-pointers in the first half drawing cheers from her friends in the stands that included her former coach Kurt Budke.

"I actually did hear that," Riley said with a chuckle. "I couldnt really believe it but I really do appreciate it, because it means Im really appreciated and respected down here and that is something that a lot of people dont have."

The Shock carry the league's worst record at 3-15.

Keisha Brown led Tulsa with 14 points, Kara Braxton and Ivory Latta each added 10. Braxton also had 10 boards.

Riley's third 3-pointer of the half made it 27-19 before Tulsa scored 11 straight to storm back. The Shock led 39-30 with 2:47 left in the half before the Sparks cut its deficit to five at the half.

Los Angeles took the lead 49-48 on Thompson's layup midway through the third quarter and led by 10 at the end of the period.

"I think it was our defense that made a difference," Thompson said. "They are a good team, they play hard, theyre very athletic, so I dont think we expected them to lay down."

Kristi Toliver's 3-pointer gave Los Angeles a 74-58 lead with 8:02 left in the game and Tulsa couldn't recover.

"I though the first 20 minutes went pretty well," Tulsa coach Nolan Richardson said. "I thought we played the kind of basketball we're capable playing to be able to win. But it's always the third quarter that we come out. ... It's very difficult to understand why we come out flat. They got on a run and got their heads up. Next thing you know, it's all going down hill for us."