Sparks notch only second home victory at Sun's expense

Kelsey Plum scored 23 points and Azura Stevens added 21 points with 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Sparks turned an offensive surge near halftime into a rare home victory by coming out on top 92-88 against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.

Rickea Jackson scored 19 points and Dearica Hamby had 17 points with seven rebounds for the Sparks (7-14), who ended a six-game home losing streak to win in their own building for the second time this season and first since May 25.

Los Angeles went on a 6-0 run to close out the first half and put together a 10-1 run to open the second half while ending its 13-game losing streak to Connecticut.

Bria Hartley scored a game-high 25 points and Saniya Rivers added 20 points for the Sun (3-18), who lost for the 12th time in their last 13 games. Connecticut leading scorer Tina Charles was held to nine points on 3-of-10 shooting.

The Sun was playing without Marina Mobley (knee) for the eighth consecutive game.

Plum gave the Sparks an 88-85 lead with 2:08 remaining on a step-through left-handed layup. After a Sun turnover, Plum made a pair of free throws for a 90-85 lead with 1:28 on the clock.

Rivers made just one of two free throws for Connecticut with 47 seconds remaining, while Leila Lacan missed a fastbreak layup attempt with 6.4 seconds remaining while under pressure from Hamby.

Connecticut got off to a hot start, shooting 54.5 percent from the floor in the first quarter to take a 30-27 lead. The Sun increased their advantage to as many as eight points in the second quarter before taking a 49-47 lead into halftime.

Jackson led all scorers in the first half with 17 points for the Sparks, while Hartley scored 12 points for the Sun.

Plum moved into sole possession of 15th on the all-time list of 3-pointers made at 537 with a shot from long range in the first quarter. She made 3 of 7 from distance for the game.

Both teams have one game remaining before the All-Star break.

--Field Level Media