WNBA: Los Angeles 84, Seattle 72

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Mwadi Mabika scored nine of her 17 points in the third quarter Sunday afternoon, as Los Angeles beat Seattle, 78-70, in a WNBA playoff game.

The best-of-three first-round Western Conference playoff series is tied at a game apiece.

Lisa Leslie scored 17 points, while Tamara Moore and Christi Thomas added 10 points each.

Betty Lennox scored 19 points, Lauren Jackson had 13 and Iziane Castro Marques scored 11 for the Storm.

In the pivotal third quarter, Mabika had nine points, four rebounds and two assists to push the Sparks ahead, 59-55, heading into the final quarter.

Seattle closed its deficit to 64-63 with 7:11 to play, but Los Angeles went on a 12-2 run to extend its lead to 11 points with 1:29 remaining.

The Storm committed 17 turnovers, which led to 22 points for the Sparks.

Game Three is Tuesday night in Los Angeles.