SEATTLE — The Sparks nearly ended their losing streak in dramatic fashion, but came up just short.
Breanna Stewart scored 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting and the Seattle Storm held on for an 83-80 victory over the Sparks on Friday night, handing the Sparks their fourth consecutive loss after Nneka Ogwumike missed a clean look at a potential tying corner 3-pointer as time expired.
Ezi Magbegor had nine points, 11 rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals for Seattle (3-3). Jewell Loyd added 11 points and has reached double-figure scoring in 155 games since 2016 – the most in the WNBA during that stretch.
Stephanie Talbot hit a 3-pointer to give Seattle, which never trailed, a 41-23 lead with 6:15 left in the second quarter. The Storm took a 16-point lead when Sue Bird made a 3-pointer early in the second half and it was 79-69 when Stewart made a jumper with 3:27 left.
Liz Cambage scored four points during an 8-0 run by the Sparks but Stewart answered with a driving layup and, after Cambage slipped a pass between two defenders to Nneka Ogwumike for an easy basket, Bird hit two free throws to make it 83-79 with 45.5 seconds left.
Cambage led the Sparks (2-4) with 25 points and eight rebounds. Ogwumike added 20 points and Brittney Sykes scored 10.
Seattle made 29 field goals and had 27 assists.
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