Sparks outlast Sky, 81-77

In crunch time, the much-hyped matchup between two former college rivals and the top two picks in the 2008 WNBA draft was a moot point.

There was no Sylvia Fowles on the floor for the Chicago Sky.

Ditto for Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks.

But the rest of their teammates kept a UIC Pavilion sellout crowd of 6,304 on the edge of their seats Tuesday with an electric finish to regulation that sent the game into overtime.

More Coverage Slideshows Sky vs. Sparks Stories Happy return for Parker, Sky [6/04/08]

The Sky overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to force the extra session, but the Sparks had just a little more in the tank and came away with an 81-77 victory.

The Sky drops to 1-4, losing its third game in a row.

"I am pleased that we came back, but I don't want these moral victories of looking good and things like that," Sky coach Steve Key said. "I want to win just like everybody else."

Losing the 6-foot-6 Fowles for much of the second half didn't help the Sky's cause.

Fowles left the game early in the third quarter after making a spectacular defensive play. With the Sparks (4-1) breaking down the floor, she pinned a layup attempt against the backboard with authority.

But her momentum sent her crashing into the basket support. She crumpled to the floor and winced in agony. Fowles eventually walked out of the arena with help but did not return.

According to Sky officials, Fowles has a strain in her left knee.

The Sparks immediately went on a 10-0 run after Fowles' departure, but the Sky was able to make up ground in the fourth quarter, thanks to some clutch free throws by Candice Dupree (team-high 22 points) and big jump shots by Jia Perkins (16 points).

Meanwhile, Parker, who starred at Naperville Central and had a big cheering section, also had an early exit.

As the final seconds of regulation ticked off the clock, Parker fouled Sky guard Dominique Canty, who was driving to the basket.

Parker's foul was her final foul of the game, which sent her to the bench. It also sent Canty to the line.

With 6.6 seconds left, Canty hit both free throws to force overtime.

"The team did a good job of pulling it out (in overtime)," said Parker, who scored 12 points and pulled down 7 rebounds in her homecoming. "We got the victory and that's what we came here to do."