Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) shoots over Los Angeles Sparks forward Nia Coffey (12) and guard Brittney Sykes during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Kelsey Mitchell scored 25 points, Teaira McCowan added 15 - including two free throws to cap the scoring with 15.3 seconds to play - and tied her career high with 19 rebounds and the Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 74-72 on Tuesday night.
Nneka Ogwumike made two free throws to give the Sparks a 72-64 lead with 3:05 left, but Indiana (6-19) closed the game on a 10-0 run. Mitchell hit a long jumper and, after McCowan made 3 of 4 from the free-throw line, a 3-pointer - her fourth of the game to make it 72-all with 1:19 remaining. The teams traded misses before Jessica Breland stole the ball from Ogwumike to set up McCowan's go-ahead free throws.
Nia Coffey missed a potential winning 3-point shot but Brittney Sykes grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled with 1.3 seconds to go. She missed both foul shots before she chased down the rebound of the second free throw but her baseline jumper at the buzzer was no good.
Tiffany Mitchell added 12 points for the Fever.
Ogwumike finished with 17 points and five assists. Lauren Cox scored a career-high 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Indiana had cut Cox, who the Fever drafted third last season. Coffey scored 13 for Los Angeles (10-17).
The Sparks, who won their first four games following the Olympic break, have lost four in a row.
Indiana Fever guard Tiffany Mitchell (25) shoots between Los Angeles Sparks guard Arella Guirantes (22) and forward Nia Coffey (12) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
Indiana Fever guard Tiffany Mitchell, right, is fouled by Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike as she drives the lane during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
Indiana Fever forward Jessica Breland (51) shoots over Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
Indiana Fever forward Teaira McCowan (15) and Los Angeles Sparks center Amanda Zahui B (1) go up for a rebound in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
Indiana Fever forward Teaira McCowan (15) blocks the shot of Los Angeles Sparks center Amanda Zahui B (1) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Sparks guard Erica Wheeler (17) passes the ball over Indiana Fever guard Lindsay Allen (12) and forward Teaira McCowan during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press