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Comets top Sparks in sloppy battle

Aug 4, 2007 - 3:09 AM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Despite making more mistakes, the Houston Comets prevailed against the Los Angeles Sparks, posting a 66-56 victory on Friday.

Houston (9-18) committed 20 turnovers to 12 by Los Angeles but managed to emerge victorious, outscoring the Sparks by six points in the first quarter and four in the fourth while matching its opponents in the other two periods.

The Comets led by as many as 12 points in the third as Crystal Smith hit a jumper with 2:54 left to open a 43-31 advantage. Los Angeles closed the quarter with a 6-0 run and opened the fourth with a 7-3 spurt, which was capped by a layup by Taj McWilliams-Franklin with 7:19 remaining, to pull within 50-48.

But Houston countered with a 9-2 surge, taking a 61-52 lead after a pair of free throws by Tamecka Dixon with 2:21 to go and never looking back.

Tina Thompson scored 13 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and Dixon added 12 points off the bench for Houston, which shot 33 percent (22-of-67). Michelle Snow provided nine points and 14 boards.

Mwadi Mabika scored 10 points and Murriel Page had nine and nine boards for the Sparks (9-17), who shot a horrid 29 percent (20-of-70).