LOS ANGELES, July 12 (Ticker) -- Lisa
Leslie picked up right where she left off in the WNBA All-Star Game.
Leslie scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as
the Los Angeles Sparks opened the second half with a 71-59 win over the
Charlotte Sting.
The 6-5 Leslie helped the Western Conference to a
122-99 victory in the All-Star Game on Saturday, finishing her day with a
rare dunk in the closing seconds to highlight the rout.
Leslie and Chamique
Holdsclaw combined for 24 points in the first half Tuesday to help the
Sparks (10-7) take a 36-30 lead into the break. After the Sting (3-13)
opened a 28-19 advantage, Holdsclaw had six points and Leslie a basket in
a 12-0 run that gave Los Angeles the lead for good.
Charlotte
pulled within 57-53 with 5:28 remaining, but Leslie assisted on a layup by
Holdsclaw and Tamika
Whitmore added a jumper to push the Sparks' lead up to eight points.
Leslie added three free throws and a layup down the stretch as Los
Angeles kept Charlotte winless (0-7) on the road. Holdsclaw finished with
18 points and five assists for the Sparks, who avenged a loss to the Sting
on May 28.
Tammy
Sutton-Brown had 15 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for
Charlotte, which was failed in its bid for its first two-game winning
streak.