WNBA ROUNDUP Saturday's games

Sparks 67, Liberty 60
NEW YORK -- Lisa Leslie had 25 points and eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Sparks beat the New York Liberty, tying their WNBA record with nine straight wins to open the season.In a rematch of last year's WNBA Finals, the defending champion Sparks put the Liberty away in the final minutes after trailing much of the second half. They also started 9-0 in 2001 and have won 18 straight dating back to last season.Nikki Teasley had 13 assists and 10 rebounds and DeLisha Milton added 15 points for the Sparks.Crystal Robinson scored 15 and Vickie Johnson had 14 for the Liberty (3-3), who shook off a horrible start and forced 15 turnovers for 22 points. Tari Phillips added 10 points and 11 rebounds.Leslie hit one of two free throws to put the Sparks within 58-57 with 3:25 to go as the Liberty began to unravel.Tamecka Dixon then hit a post-up jumper with 2:12 remaining, putting Los Angeles ahead 59-58 before Leslie secured the win.Teasley found Leslie open under the basket for a layup with 53.4 seconds remaining, and on the baseline for a turnaround jumper with 17.9 seconds remaining.The Sparks started the game on a 7-0 run as the Liberty struggled from the field. It was contagious, though, as Los Angeles committed four quick turnovers that led to 11 of New York's first 13 points.
Shock 93, Mystics 56
WASHINGTON -- Swin Cash scored nine of her 19 points during a 25-3 second-half run as the Detroit Shock routed the Washington Mystics.Cash and the WNBA's highest scoring offense exposed a Washington team that was playing what it hopes is its final game without injured star Chamique Holdsclaw. The Mystics are 1-3 without Holdsclaw, expected to return Wednesday against Sacramento.The 37-point loss was the third-most lopsided loss in Washington's franchise history and the fourth most points allowed in franchise history.Asjha Jones led the Mystics with 14 points, but while Detroit was making its run the Mystics missed 18 straight shots from the floor in a 10-minute stretch before Heather Luz made a 3-pointer with 4:17 to play.
By contrast the Shock got contributions from every player on the floor. Deanna Nolan scored 12 of her 16 points in the first half and rookie Cheryl Ford added 10 points.