Houston ? Elena Baranova and Becky Hammon each scored 13 points to help the New York Liberty beat the Houston Comets, 71-62, Thursday for their fifth straight win.

The Liberty blew a 16-point second-half lead but were able to hold on and defeat the Comets for the second time in 10 days.

Monarchs 68, Sparks 51

Sacramento, Calif. — Yolanda Griffith scored 20 points and had seven rebounds to lead Sacramento over Los Angeles. Griffith,outplayed Sparks center and Olympian Lisa Leslie.

Storm 72, Mercury 45

Seattle — Lauren Jackson finished with 15 points after going scoreless in the first half, helping Seattle defeat Phoenix.

Lynx 55, Silver Stars 47

Minneapolis — Katie Smith scored 13 of her 15 points in the second half and Minnesota pulled away for a victory over San Antonio. The game was tied at 45, then Minnesota closed the game with a 10-2 run.

Sun 71, Sting 62

Uncasville, Conn. — Nykesha Sales scored 20 points and Lindsay Whalen added a career-high 11 to lead the Connecticut over Charlotte.