LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – JUNE 7, 2016 – The New York Liberty had its two-game winning streak snapped with a 100-77 loss to the unbeaten Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night at the Staples Center.
Shavonte Zellous came off the bench to lead the Liberty (4-4) in scoring with 12 points, her fourth-straight game scoring in double figures. Kiah Stokes chipped in 11, Amanda Zahui. tallied 10, and Sugar Rodgers and Shoni Schimmel each finished with eight.
The Liberty trailed 13-6 early in the first quarter before a Sugar Rodgers 3-point play ignited a 13-5 run for New York, capped off by a Zahui B. layup that gave the Liberty a 19-18 lead.
From there the Sparks (8-0) caught fire from the field, shooting 18-of-29 (.621) as a team when Essence Carson drained her second 3-pointer of the night to make it a 45-31 advantage in the second.
Los Angeles continued that hot shooting into the second half, taking a 75-50 lead on back-to-back 3-pointers from Kristi Toliver.
Jantel Lavender shot 10-for-14 from the field to finish with 22 points for Los Angeles. Krisit Toliver scored 19 points, nailing three 3-pointers.
The Liberty concludes its three game road trip on Saturday, June 11, when it faces the San Antonio Stars. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast on MSG Network.
NOTES
The Liberty had won the last two games played at the Staples Center and have now dropped both meetings with Los Angeles this season.
After leading by 13 at the half, Los Angeles opened the third quarter on a 16-6 run to put the game out of reach.
New York saw 49 of its 77 points come from the bench, including all three of its double-digit scorers.
The Liberty was outscored 40-30 in the paint, just the second time this season New York was edged on the interior.