Sports

Tolliver scores 29 points to lead Sparks past Lynx, 71-63

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kristi Toliver (20) pushes the ball down the court against Minnesota Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen (13) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs) (The Associated Press)

Los Angeles Sparks guard Candice Wiggins, left, pushes up to the basket against Minnesota Lynx forward Devereaux Peters in the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs) (The Associated Press)

Kristi Tolliver scored 20 of her 29 points in the second half Tuesday as the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 71-63 and clinched a playoff spot.

Candace Parker added 16 points for Los Angeles (15-17). The Sparks are battling San Antonio for third place in the Western Conference. Minnesota has second place in the West sewn up.

Maya Moore scored 20 points for the Lynx (24-8), who have lost two straight.

The Lynx led 63-62 with 2 minutes to play, but the Sparks closed the game on a 9-0 run. Tolliver put Los Angeles on top with a turn-around jumper, an then buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Sparks a 67-63 lead.