Kelsey Plum scores career-high 43 as Sparks beat Mercury 111-102 in OT

Kelsey Plum scored a career-high 43 points and the Los Angeles Sparks outlasted the Phoenix Mercury 111-102 in overtime on Saturday night for their third straight win.

Plum added seven assists, and her scoring carried the Sparks down the stretch. She poured in 19 points in the fourth quarter, including the Sparks' final 17, and tied the game with a layup with 1.6 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Los Angeles improved to 7-6 and to 5-1 on the road. Kahleah Copper matched Plum nearly shot for shot for Phoenix, finishing with 41.

Kelsey Plum's historic night

Plum shot 14 of 26 from the field, 5 of 11 from 3-point range and 10 of 12 from the line. The 43 points tied Kristi Toliver for the most in a single game in Sparks history, and Plum became just the second player in the franchise to reach that number. Across the league, it was only the fourth time a player has finished a game with at least 43 points and seven assists.

"It's an unselfish 43," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. "She'll credit her teammates, but the work she puts in and her will to win are the best in the league."

Plum kept the focus on the result. "Tonight was awesome because we won, and I think for me that's really my focus," she said. "I appreciate Coach giving me the freedom to really go out there and just play."

Rae Burrell's career-high 24

Rae Burrell turned in the best game of her career, scoring 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, both career highs, and setting another career best with three blocks. One of those blocks came with the game tied and about 33 seconds left in regulation, a stop that helped send the game to overtime. Burrell also poured in 16 points in the first half, a career high for a half.

"She took over at the end of the game when we needed her," Burrell said of Plum's leadership. "She got the job done and was still able to make great plays and great decisions."

Nneka Ogwumike posts another double-double

Ogwumike recorded the 121st double-double of her career with 15 points and 15 rebounds, her sixth double-double of the season and the 12th game of her career with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds. She shot 3 of 5 from 3-point range, matched a season high with three blocks and passed Tina Thompson for eighth on the Sparks' all-time list of made 3-pointers. Her plus-12 led the game.

Sparks pull away in overtime

After the teams ended regulation tied at 98, Los Angeles seized control immediately, opening the extra period on a 10-0 run that began with an Ogwumike jumper. Cameron Brink, who finished with nine points, capped a possession in overtime with a 3-pointer and the ensuing free throw for a four-point play. The defense slammed the door, holding the Mercury to 1-of-6 shooting in overtime.

The Sparks made 15 of 34 from deep, just the fourth game in franchise history with at least 15 made 3-pointers, and got a season-high 33 points from the bench. Their 111 points were the second-most they have scored in a regular-season game.

What's next for the Sparks

The win pushed the Sparks' Commissioner's Cup record to 3-2 and their fundraising total to $11,000 for the Brotherhood Crusade. Los Angeles closes a three-game road trip on Monday night with a nationally televised game at the Golden State Valkyries.