LOS ANGELES, July 7 (Ticker) -- Lisa Leslie could not have had a
better birthday.
After getting named the Western Conference's starting center in
the WNBA All-Star game, Leslie celebrated her 30th birthday with
13 points and eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Sparks rolled
to 102-75 rout over the Utah Starzz.
Leslie has been bothered by flu-like symptoms over the past
couple weeks but must feel better after a spectacular Sunday.
She was named an All-Star starter for the third straight year
and scored the first seven points in Los Angeles' record-tying
victory.
Tamecka Dixon scored 20 points and Mwadi Mabika and DeLisha
Milton added 17 points as the Sparks matched a WNBA record for
points. Los Angeles tied the record it set against Utah on June
30, 1999.
The Sparks shot 53 percent (38-of-72), including 10-of-16 from
3-point range. Mabika and Milton combined to shoot 12-of-19 and
made 3-of-6 shots from beyond the arc.
Latasha Byears had 10 points and six rebounds off the bench and
Milton grabbed seven rebounds as Los Angeles held a commanding
42-27 edge on the boards.
Utah's Jennifer Azzi opened the game with a layup, but Leslie
responded with seven straight points to give the Sparks the lead
for good. Dixon buried a pair of 3-pointers during a 14-0 run
that gave Los Angeles a 27-11 cushion less than eight minutes
into the game.
The Starzz never got closer than nine thereafter and the Sparks
had their largest lead, 95-65 with four minutes remaining.
Adrienne Goodson scored 14 points, Margo Dydek 12 and Marie
Ferdinand 11 for Utah, which has lost nine of 10 visits to the
Staples Center.









