Natisha Hiedeman, Lynx surge past Sparks

Natisha Hiedeman came off the bench to score 16 first-half points, and the Minnesota Lynx used a second-quarter deluge to overwhelm the host Los Angeles Sparks 91-82 on Thursday.

The Lynx (18-3), playing their second afternoon game in as many days, came alive in the second quarter after a lackluster start. Minnesota's WNBA-leading scoring defense surrendered 26 points through the opening 10 minutes, but ratched up the intensity after the break.

The Sparks (6-14) went almost the first three minutes of the second period without scoring a point. After Julie Vanloo ended the drought with a 3-pointer at the 7:04 mark, what had been a four-point Los Angeles advantage early in the quarter became a Minnesota lead that the Lynx did not surrender the rest of the way.

After Vanloo connected on a second triple -- part of her 15 points off the bench -- to pull the Sparks to within a two-point margin, Minnesota went on a 14-2 run. Four Lynx scored during the pivotal stretch, including Hiedeman, who assisted Napheesa Collier on a basket and notched two of her own over three consecutive Minnesota scores.

Hiedeman's 4-of-6 shooting from the floor in the first quarter, including a pair of made 3-pointers, buoyed the Lynx during their initial defensive struggles. She shot 7 of 12 from the field overall en route to a game-high 18 points.

Collier added 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Courtney Williams chipped in 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Minnesota extended the lead to as many as 27 points in the third quarter before Los Angeles went on a 17-0 run lasting into the fourth period. The Sparks threatened but were in too deep of a hole to pull to within single digits until Emma Cannon's 3-pointer in the final minute.

Kelsey Plum led Los Angeles with 17 points, dished 12 assists and shot 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Rickea Jackson scored 14 points in the loss. The Sparks shot 13 of 27 (48.1 percent) from 3-point range, to 10 of 37 (27 percent) for the Lynx.