SEATTLE (AP) — Kristi Toliver scored 22 points and Alana Beard added 18 to help the Los Angeles Sparks beat the short-handed Seattle Storm 82-71 Saturday night for their sixth consecutive win.
Rookie Nneka Ogwumike had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles (16-6), which swept the season series 5-0. Candace Parker added 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Tanisha Wright had 21 points and rookie reserve Shekinna Stricklen added 16 to lead Seattle (10-11), which remained in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Storm were without point guard Sue Bird (stomach flu) and Ann Wauters (strained Achilles). Also, three-time MVP Lauren Jackson hasn’t joined the team yet after playing for Australia at the London Olympics.
Beard scored eight points in the third quarter to help the Sparks break open the game after leading 40-38 at halftime.
