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BOX SCORE
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- Detroit Shock coach Nancy
Lieberman-Cline has a unique reference point on the development of
Los Angeles Sparks forward Mwadi Mabika.
"She's just improved every year I've been involved in this
league," said Lieberman-Cline, who played for the Phoenix Mercury
during the WNBA's inaugural 1997
season and has coached the Shock since it began play in 1998.
|  | | Los Angeles' Tamecka Dixon pesters a driving Edwina Brown on Sunday. |
"I can remember having to guard her and thinking, 'She's raw
talent.' She's really refined her game. You can just see she's so
coachable. She's a marvelous player."
Mabika gave one the best exhibitions of her skill Sunday,
scoring 16 of her 21 points in the first half as the Sparks
extended their franchise-record winning streak to nine games with
an 85-63 victory over Detroit.
The winning streak matches the second-longest in WNBA history
behind a 15-game run by the Houston Comets from June 27 to July 30,
1998.
In a game Los Angeles (13-2) never trailed and was tied only
once, 2-2, Mabika keyed a 15-2 first-half run with three
three-point baskets, a lay-up and one free throw for 12 points,
putting the team ahead, 31-14.
With the Sparks leading 39-29 to start the second half, Mabika's
fourth three-point basket, the fifth consecutive shot she made,
capped a 7-2 spurt opening the second half.
"She catches the ball, you think you're there, and she just
rises above you and shoots the 3," Lieberman-Cline said. "The
three in the second half hurt us. We're down 10, we're the one who
has to make the run, and she turns around and makes it."
The Shock (7-8) was able to mount one more challenge, pulling to
within 11, 46-35, with 16:40 left on two free throws each by Elena
Tornikidou and Olympia Scott-Richardson.
Lisa Leslie had a basket and three free throws during an ensuing
11-2 run putting the Sparks ahead, 57-37. Detroit was unable to get
any closer than 15 points for the remainder of the game.
Mabika was the WNBA's youngest player in 1997, a 20-year-old
from Congo, brought to the U.S. by countryman and Atlanta Hawks
center Dikembe Mutombo.
She increased her scoring average from 6 points per game as a
rookie, to 8.2 in 1998 and 10.8 last season. The 5-foot-11
Mabika is now averaging 14 points per game, second on the team
behind Leslie's 16.7.
"I've always said she's one of the most underrated players in
the WNBA," Leslie said. "She can do it at both ends, offensively
and defensively. She had a great game tonight and stepped it up
big. She hit a lot of jump shots to keep us in the game.
"I was able to pick it up in the second half, but Mwadi has
always been crucial and an essential person to our success."
Leslie had 18 points, 13 in the second half, and a game-high 12
rebounds for Los Angeles before fouling out with 3:15 to play.
Forward DeLisha Milton added 12 points and reserve Allison Feaster
10 before an announced crowd of 5,486 at the Forum.
Forward Wendy Palmer scored 12 for Detroit.
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ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard
RECAPS
Houston 69
Phoenix 58
Minnesota 81
Portland 75
Los Angeles 85
Detroit 63
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