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Hammon, Baker lead Liberty to overtime win over Sparks

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Becky Hammon scored 24 points and rookie Sherill Baker had 15 as the New York Liberty beat the Los Angeles Sparks 89-79 in overtime to win their home opener and end a season-opening four-game losing streak.

Cathrine Kraayeveld hit a 3-pointer for New York with 4.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 68.

Shameka Christon scored 10 points, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 4:07 remaining in OT to give the Liberty the lead for good at 71-68.

Lisa Leslie had 26 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out 1 1/2 minutes into the extra period for Los Angeles. Temeka Johnson had 17 points and Christi Thomas added 10.

The Liberty had a chance to win in regulation. After Kraayeveld’s tying shot, Los Angeles turned the ball over on its ensuing possession and Christelle N’Garsanet’s half-court heave hit the backboard to the right of the basket as time expired.

Sun 89, Sting 71: At Uncasville, Conn., Margo Dydek scored 17 points to lead six players in double figures as Connecticut beat Charlotte.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to match a team record she set on Aug. 12, 1999. It was the same one Dydek equaled in Connecticut’s 89-65 victory over the Sting on Thursday in Charlotte.

The Sting opened the second quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 23-17 lead with 7:32 left, but the Sun outscored them 16-8 the rest of the way to go into the halftime break with a 33-31 lead.

After struggling the first half, the Sun came out of the locker room with a 16-0 run to open the third quarter and pull away.

Mystics 92, Shock 68: At Washington, DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 21 points to lead five players in double figures as Washington remained unbeaten at home with a win over Detroit.

Alana Beard had 18 points, Chasity Melvin 13, and Nikki Teasley and Crystal Robinson 11 apiece for the Mystics, who have won three in a row at home.

Swin Cash had 15 points and Deanna Nolan 14 for Detroit, which never led and shot 10.5 percent (2 for 19) in the period.