LOS ANGELES – Kristi Toliver scored 21 points and Lindsey Harding added 20 to help the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Tulsa Shock 76-69, in overtime on Saturday night.
Toliver made a long jumper to give the Sparks (2-1) the lead for good at 68-67. Harding made four free throws in overtime and an impressive right-hand scoop shot that pushed it to 74-69. The Shock (1-5) were held to three points and one field goal in overtime.
Candace Parker added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Sparks, although she was held to five points in the second half and overtime.
Glory Johnson led Tulsa with 17 points and rookie Skylar Diggins had 10. Three of Tulsa's five losses have come in overtime this season.
Tulsa played without starters Liz Cambage and Tiffany Jackson-Jones because of ankle injuries as well as top reserve Riquna Williams because of a concussion.
Trailing 66-65 with 13.9 seconds left in regulation, Parker was fouled. She made one of the two free throws to tie it. Tulsa called consecutive timeouts before Diggins' bank-shot attempt missed at the buzzer.
Tulsa took a 66-62 lead with more than a minute left when Johnson made two free throws and a driving layup against Parker. Toliver got wide open and made a 3-pointer on the Sparks' next possession and L.A. got the ball back after Diggins missed a long jumper to set up the play for Parker.
Alana Beard returned after she missed the previous game with a hamstring injury but sat out the second half.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.