MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 7 (Ticker) -- Nicole Ohlde prevented the Minnesota Lynx from enduring an embarrassing defeat.

Ohlde sank two free throws with 11 seconds left as the Lynx nearly squandered a 25-point second-half lead before holding on for a 76-72 triumph over the Los Angeles Sparks.

On-Demand Video from Sparks-Lynx: Play

Kristi Harrower scored 15 points, Svetlana Abrosimova 14 and Ohlde 13 for the Lynx, who ended a five-game losing streak - their longest since 2002.

Minnesota made 19-of-38 shots and limited Los Angeles to 10-of-30 in the first half to take a commanding 45-25 advantage into the break. Abrosimova scored 10 points, Ohlde eight and Harrower seven in the half.

The Lynx led by as much as 56-31 with 15:49 remaining before the Sparks whittled the deficit to 74-72 on a layup by Mwadi Mabika with 12 seconds left.

But Ohlde made her pair of free throws a second later. The Sparks' Lisa Leslie missed a jumper with three seconds left and time expired.

Leslie scored 20 points and Mabika 17 for the Sparks, who have lost four of their last five contests.