Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Shenise Johnson scored 19 points, Danielle Robinson had 18 and the San Antonio Silver Stars overcame a big game from Candace Parker in an 83-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night.

Jia Perkins added 14 points and Danielle Adams had 12 points for San Antonio (1-1), which was swept by Los Angeles in the opening round of last season's playoffs.
Parker had 27 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Sparks (1-1), who had won three straight against the Silver Stars. Lindsey Harding scored 18 points and Ebony Hoffman had 13.
Parker scored five points during a 7-0 run midway through the fourth quarter that cut San Antonio's lead to 73-70. The Sparks pulled to 80-78, but the Silver Stars sealed the victory by going 5 for 7 on free throws in the final 30 seconds.
With Johnson leading the way, San Antonio's bench outscored Los Angeles' 36-19.
The Sparks had difficulty defending the second-year guard, who went 8 for 13 from the field against a series of defenders. Johnson had 12 points in the first half, including an open 19-foot jumper after Jenna O'Hea stumbled trying to defend a cross-over dribble.
Parker kept Los Angeles within striking distance with an active first half. She had 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks while playing 10 minutes in the first two quarters. One of the blocks came when the 6-foot-4 post ran down 5-11 Davellyn White from behind on a fast-break layup.
Perkins scored the Silver Stars' first nine points as they raced to a 9-2 lead.
Harding had a jumper and a 3-pointer during a 7-0 run, to take a 13-12 lead with 4 minutes left in the first quarter.
Five different players scored as San Antonio opened the second half on 12-0 run that gave the Silver Stars a 57-52 lead.
Harding's layup broke a nearly four-minute drought for the Sparks, and sparked a 13-0 run that pulled them to 57-55.
Silver Stars guard Becky Hammon missed her second straight game with a broken right middle finger. She sported a purple cast while sitting on the bench throughout the game.
Parker and San Antonio's DeLisha Milton-Jones had a long hug prior to tipoff. They were teammates for five seasons with the Sparks before Milton-Jones signed with the Silver Stars in the offseason