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Sparks down Liberty in milestone WNBA game

Jun 22, 2011 - 4:40 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 27 points and Candice Parker added 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Sparks past the New York Liberty, 96-91, as the league celebrated its 15th season Tuesday night at the Staples Center.

Kristi Toliver finished with 16 points and Tina Thompson added 14 points and one significant block for the Sparks, who won their third straight game.

Cappie Pondexter scored 22 points and added six assists, but couldn't prevent the Liberty from dropping its fourth straight. Plenette Pierson tallied 15 points and Essence Carson dropped 13 points for New York, while Kia Vaughn added 12 points and 12 boards.

New York downed Los Angeles in the inaugural WNBA game 15 seasons ago and appeared poised to accomplish a similar feat on Tuesday, as the Liberty held the ball, down one, with under a minute remaining.

Pondexter, however, turned the ball over as she attempted to drop a pass into the paint, and Parker scored in transition on the other end to give the Sparks a 94-91 lead.

On the ensuing Liberty possession, Thompson -- the only player to appear in all 15 WNBA seasons -- blocked a three-point attempt by Sidney Spencer and Milton Jones knocked down a pair of free throws on the other end to seal the final margin.