Basketball: Leslie and Lobo hog the limelight

Two leading lights of the women's game were in fine form as the Women's National Basketball Association began its eight-team, 28-game season on Saturday.

Olympic gold medallists Rebecca Lobo and Lisa Leslie each scored 16 points but Lobo scored 11 of hers in the second half as New York Liberty beat Leslie's Los Angeles Sparks 67-57.

"It wasn't the prettiest of games, but I think we showed a little bit of what we can do," Lobo said. "We got a great crowd out here and it can only get better."

Cynthia Cooper scored 25 points as Houston Comets beat the Cleveland Rockers 76-56. The Comets played without their star forward Sheryl Swoopes, who is awaiting birth of her child.

Ruthie Bolton-Holifield scored 19 points as Sacramento Monarchs pulled away for a 70-60 win over Utah Starzz.