Rookie Johannes lifts Liberty over Sparks

With the starters in foul trouble and struggling to score, Katie Smith turned to the reserves and they delivered.

The Liberty bench scored 43 points, led by rookie Marine Johannes with 17, in the Liberty's 8378 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday in White Plains.

Johannes hit all six of her field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers, in her third game withthe Liberty. She missed the first part of the season helping France reach the Olympic qualifiers.

“She's a scorer. We need production,” Smith said. “We need that to happen. We need those in the ballgame to impact the game and give a max effort. “

The victory ended a three-game skid for the Liberty (8-10).

“Our defense was better than we did the last three games,” Smith said. “Really pleased, we got a lot of contributions from a lot of people, pleased we got out of here with a win.”

Johannes helped the Liberty build a seven-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Sparks rallied behind Chelsea Gray and Chiney Ogwumike to get to 79-78 with 17.4 seconds left. Tina Charles hit two free throws to make it a three-point game.

The Sparks (10-8) had one last chance, but Gray's 3 from the top of the key was short after she shook off defender Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe to get an open look with 9.4 seconds left.

Charles hit two more free throws to seal the win.

“We kept putting them at the line and they got some buckets. We got good looks down the stretch in the fourth. Maybe in another game we'll convert them,” said Chelsea Gray, who had 19 points and five steals for Los Angeles.

Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Los Angeles.