NEW YORK -- The Sparks' road troubles have continued.
They played the Liberty (14-3) in New York for the second time in three days. New York built a 23-point lead in the second half and eventually got the win, 98-88.
Breanna Stewart was dominant for the Liberty. Her line was one to behold: 33 points, three rebounds, seven assists, six blocks, and three steals.
What also was working for the Liberty was the three-point shooting. They went 16 for 36 (.444) while the Sparks only made half of that (8 for 27, .296). That and the rebounding (Liberty was +9) really helped tilt the game in New York's favor.
"Did a lot of good things but our group is learning that it's a very thin line between winning and losing," Sparks head coach Curt Miller said, "And we're just having enough slippage that defensively, we can't give up 98 points and expect to win. Despite a good night offensively in terms of made baskets of 29 and got to the foul line 17 more times than our opponent, just not good enough to defensively to win that game."
Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
"In order for us to be successful, I have to be at my best every night," Hamby said. "Like we know we're kind of rebuilding but we still want to compete and we have enough to compete. And I just have to bring my best every night."
Zia Cooke played well for the second straight game as she tied her career-best of 14 points. Queen Egbo, who was signed earlier in the day to a hardship contract, played under three minutes and scored two points.
As for the Liberty, Stewart got huge help from Sabrina Ionescu, who went for 24 points, six rebounds, and nine assists. Kayla Thornton made a career-high six threes on her way to 20 points and Jonquel Jones had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The Sparks (4-13) have gone 0-6 on this road trip. They will have five days off before they finish their long voyage in Phoenix, where they play the Mercury on Friday.