LOS ANGELES, June 13 (AP) -- Taj McWilliams-Franklin tied her season high with 20 points, including two free throws with 12.8 seconds left, and the Los Angeles Sparks rallied for a 74-71 victory Wednesday night over the Houston Comets.

LaToya Thomas added 16 points, Murriel Pagescored 13 points and Mwadi Mabika had nine rebounds for the Sparks (4-2), who were playing their first game since Chamique Holdsclaw abruptly retired Monday.

Tina Thompson scored 16 points and Michelle Snow added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Comets (0-8), who are off to their worst start in team history.

Houston, which trailed by 13 points in the first half, rallied to take a 62-60 lead with 8:33 to play. But McWilliams-Franklin scored six points during a 10-0 run that put Los Angeles ahead 70-62 with 4:55 left.

A 9-2 run narrowed the Comets' deficit to 72-71 with 16.3 seconds remaining. But McWilliams-Franklin was fouled 4 seconds later and made both free throws.

Houston's Roneeka Hodges had a chance to tie the game but her 3-point shot hit the rim with 2 seconds left.

Kiesha Brown and Iciss Tillis played their first games for the Sparks after signing earlier in the day. Brown had nine points and three assists in 16 minutes. Tillis was scoreless in three minutes.