Parker steps up for Sparks at the end

SACRAMENTO —  Candace Parker had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 13 points in the Sparks’ 59-56 victory over the Sacramento Monarchs on Saturday night.

With the Sparks (6-10) clinging to a one-point lead and scoreless for more than five minutes, Parker broke free for a lob under the basket, taking an inbounds pass from Milton-Jones. The shot put the Sparks ahead, 57-54, with 25.5 seconds left.

Tina Thompson had 10 points for the Sparks, outscored, 11-8, in the fourth quarter.

Nicole Powell had 18 points for Sacramento (5-16).

After Ticha Penicheiro pulled the Monarchs to within one point with seven seconds left, Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton made two free throws less than a second later. Powell shot an airball with two seconds left as the Sparks secured the victory.

Neither team could get anything going offensively in a fourth quarter characterized by missed opportunities.

The Sparks finished 3-4 on a trip that started July 9.