SPARKS' SWEEP SUCCESS L.A. CLOSES REGULAR SEASON 16-0 AT HOME SPARKS 65, HOUSTON 54.

Byline: Pamela Lewis Staff Writer

The Sparks took it as a compliment, a sign of respect, that the Houston Comets would come out and play a zone against them.

Once the Sparks figured it out, they took advantage and turned a halftime tie into a 65-54 victory Saturday before 11,709 at Staples Center.

Lisa Leslie was in foul trouble much of the game, but Mwadi Mabika had a game-high 22 points. Teammate Latasha Byears had nine points and 17 rebounds.

The Sparks have won a WNBA-record 18 consecutive games and set another league record with their 16th consecutive win at home, completing their regular season with a perfect mark at Staples Center. Houston dropped to 18-12.

``This is the first step to greatness,'' Sparks coach Michael Cooper said. ``This team has set themselves apart from any team by winning 16 home games (without a loss). That will never happen again.''

The four-time defending-champion Comets tried to prevent it from happening at all. But the Sparks were too quick and swift in the second half for the Comets to deny them their place in the WNBA record book.

Both teams shot poorly (Sparks 30 percent, Houston 34 percent), but the Sparks made the adjustment in the second half.

``It took some time to get used to the zone,'' Cooper said. ``It was an illusion zone but it wasn't. We had to get the ball inside ... once we did that we were OK.''

After going 2 for 5 in the first half, Mabika asserted herself. After Leslie picked up her fourth foul, Mabika sparked a 10-4 run with two 3-pointers, and Ukari Figgs added another long-distant shot to help the Sparks secure a 38-32 lead they would not relinquish. Later, Mabika hit a 3- pointer then went to the line for three free throws to give the Sparks a 59-44 advantage with 4:24 to play.

``I don't need to see a box sheet to know that Mwadi Mabika hit three big three-balls,'' Houston coach Van Chancellor said. ``Byears hurt us on the offensive boards. I don't know if it's the Comets uniform or what, but she always does a good job against us.''

Byears, who the Sparks acquired in an offseason trade, got an offensive rebound and made the ensuing winning basket in the season opener at Houston in May. Thanks to Byears, the Sparks had 17 second-chance baskets and the Comets had none.

``I played physical, that's my style of play all the time,'' said Byears, who had six offensive rebounds, one more than Houston's total.

While trying to figure out the zone, the Sparks did an admirable job going into the break with a 24-24 tie. Defensively, they played well, holding the Comets to 30-percent shooting. Problem was, the Sparks were held to 29 percent. Leslie struggled, making only one shot in eight attempts, to score only three points in the half.

Byears gave the Sparks a boost off the bench, contributing a team-high six points.

Tamecka Dixon (six points, four assists) injured her left ankle with 4:27 to play in the half, but returned in the second half.

Houston had a chance to score before the half with 10 seconds to play, but the Sparks held their ground.

DeLisha Milton injured her left thumb, jamming it into Tina Thompson's back on the last possession. Milton came back to finish the game in the second half.

Janeth Arcain led the Comets with 20 points and Thompson had 11.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Ukari Figgs ends up on the floor trying to recover a loose ball for the Sparks, while Houston's Coquese Washington closes in.

(2) Latasha Byears (00) battles with Houston's Tiffani Johnson, left, and Janeth Arcain for the ball during Saturday's game at Staples Center.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer