In an offensive shootout, the Sparks struggled to keep pace with one of the best teams in the league in the Liberty, falling to New York, 105-97.

The Liberty shot a sizzling 55.9% from the field and hit 14 3-pointers. LA shot 46.8% overall, a respectable mark, but only went 9-31 from beyond the arc, compounding their defensive issues.

Kelsey Plum ended with 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. Dearica Hamby scored 21 points with eight rebounds and four steals. Rickea Jackson pitched in with 16 points.

Cameron Brink did not play in the second half after tweaking her ankle in the second quarter. She only played four minutes and ended with two points and three rebounds.

Azurá Stevens had 17 points. Rae Burrell notched nine points off the bench. Julie Allemand had six assists and five rebounds.

Kelsey started things off in the first period with a 3-pointer. Jonquel Jones scored five straight, and Emma Meesseman notched four soon after for the Liberty in response. Combined, the pair scored the first 14 points for New York.

Every starter except for Allemand scored for LA in the first, led by Kelsey’s seven points. Azurá and Rickea each drained 3-pointers as LA, with 2:21 left in the quarter, was shooting 44% from behind the arc.

LA jumped ahead after a three-point play from Kelsey. She was the first Spark to reach double figures. Rickea was up to eight points after converting on a midrange jumper.

At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by two.

Sabrina Ionescu drained a 3-pointer to start the second. The Sparks had a rough time guarding Jones, who knocked down two 3-pointers early in this quarter. Rae was subbed in and provided her usual spark with a quick four points.

After New York scored five in a row, Los Angeles was forced to call a timeout as the lead grew to seven for the Liberty. Out of the break, Dearica went on a mini 4-0 scoring run. Inoescu stopped that bleeding with a 3-pointer for the Liberty.

Despite a good offense, the Sparks struggled with their defense, which led to them being down by six at halftime. New York outscored Los Angeles by eight in the quarter and were also shooting 50% from behind the arc.

The three-point barrage continued for the Liberty as Jones drained another one early in the third. New York had started the quarter well, but six points from Dearica and a 3-pointer from Kelsey made it just a five-point lead for the Liberty after the margin had reached 11.

Leonie Fiebich was having a stellar quarter for New York with eight points. A 7-0 scoring run had put the lead back to double-digits for the Liberty until Rae came in and drained another 3-pointer.

Azurá added a quick six points to continue the momentum. The Liberty then responded with four points to even things out.

At the end of the third, the Sparks remained down by six.

Julie Vanloo drained a 3-pointer to start the final frame. The Liberty scored nine points to open the quarter. Dearica and Kelsey tried to add some energy with a combined six points, helping LA remain within seven.

With under four minutes left in the game, New York distanced itself with an 11-point lead. After a 3-pointer from Vanloo, the deficit was back down to single digits. The shots, however, stopped falling for the Sparks, leading to the Liberty pulling away late and icing the game at the free-throw line.

LA’s offense was great until they lost steam in the fourth quarter, leading to the Liberty taking over.

Los Angeles had a rough time defending the arc, leading to New York ending up shooting 50% from there.

Four of five starters scored in double-digits, something to keep building on during this push to try to secure a spot in the playoffs.

The Sparks’ next game will be Friday against the Dallas Wings at 4:30 PM PT.You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.