The Comets let an important game slip away in the second half as they were swept by the Sparks in the regular season for the first time in a 56-52 loss.

Houston outplayed L.A. for most of the game until their cold shooting, lack of rebounding and inability to match the Sparks physical play took over in the final five minutes. "We did a really good job of hanging in and trying to win a game shooting 29 percent," Comets coach Van Chancellor said. "I thought we didn't rebound the ball, and when the game was on the line in the last five minutes, LA was a lot more physical than us. Until we get more physical, we aren't going to beat a team like that."

Despite the Sparks "strong-arm tactics," the Comets had chances to tie the game in the closing seconds but both Sheryl Swoopes and Dawn Staley put up airballs. The Sparks were led by Lisa Leslie and Chamique Holdsclaw while Swoopes and Michelle Snow paced the Comets. But neither team shot the ball well.