Los Angeles ? Mwadi Mabika and Tamecka Dixon pulled the Los Angeles Sparks back into their playoff series against the Sacramento Monarchs and gave the Sparks a chance to win the series at home.

Mabika scored 22 points and former Kansas University standout guard Dixon had 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists to lead Los Angeles to a 71-57 victory Sunday over the Sacramento Monarchs in the second game of their WNBA playoff series.

Lisa Leslie added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Sparks, who tied the best-of-three series. The deciding game will take place Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Dixon, who played with five fouls in the final 8:21, said she took more responsibility after the Monarchs held Leslie to a playoff-low 10 points in Friday night’s 72-52 rout.

“I’m a very fiery and emotional player,” Dixon said. “Once Mwadi and I came out and were very aggressive, they had to take a step back and Lisa was allowed to get some shots inside. That’s what was missing.”

Tangela Smith scored 15 points and Yolanda Griffith added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Monarchs, who shot 26.8 percent, one-tenth of a point higher than their all-time playoff low.

Los Angeles led by as many as 15 points in the first half but Sacramento pulled to 53-52 on Griffith’s rebound basket with 8:51 remaining in regulation.

But Mabika made three 3-pointers during an 11-2 burst that extended the Sparks’ lead to 64-54 with 3:51 to play.

Shock 76, Liberty 66

New York — Cheryl Ford scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Deanna Nolan tallied 18 points to help the defending WNBA champion Detroit Shock even their first-round playoff series with a 76-66 victory over New York.

Ruth Riley had 13 points and Barbara Farris added 11 points and nine rebounds for Detroit, which bounced back after losing the opening game of the best-of-three series at home Friday night.

The Shock, playing without leading-scorer Swin Cash since she tore knee ligaments on Sept. 11, used a bigger lineup in an attempt to force the Liberty to try to win again with their outside shooting. The 6-foot-3 Barbara Farris started at forward in place of Merlakia Jones, who had been starting since Cash’s injury.