Sparks can’t tie it late, suffer their first loss

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Rookie Rhyne Howard scored 21 points, including five of Atlanta’s 13 threepointers, and the Dream held off the Sparks 77-75 on Wednesday night.

Howard made a threepointer in the corner with 3:07 left in the fourth quarter for a seven-point lead, but Atlanta did not score again. The No. 1 pick in the draft was called for a charging foul with 16.3 seconds left for the Dream’s third straight possession with a turnover.

After a timeout, the Sparks had two chances in the closing seconds, but Chiney Ogwumike missed a contested layup in the paint and Nneka Ogwumike was off on a jumper at the buzzer.

Howard also grabbed eight rebounds. Megan Walker added 11 points, and Kristy Wallace and Cheyenne Parker each had 10 points for Atlanta (2-0).

Atlanta led 40-39 at halftime as both teams shot under 38% from the field. Jordin Canada led the Sparks (2-1) with 12 first-half points on her way to a teamhigh 19.

Nneka Ogwumike had 17 points and 15 rebounds for her 80th career double-double and Liz Cambage scored 16 points for the Sparks.