Shock's Cash is money down the stretch

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 21, 2003 | by Associated Press

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Swin Cash scored 15 points, all in the final nine minutes, and Deanna Nolan matched a career high with 18 points as the Detroit Shock defeated the New York Liberty 88-83 Friday night.

Detroit trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half but rallied to win its fifth straight game. The Shock have the WNBA's best record at 5-1.

With the score tied at 81, Nolan fouled Becky Hammon. She made both free throws, but Ruth Riley answered with a short jumper to tie it at 83.

After Hammon turned the ball over, Cash was fouled by Tamika Whitmore with 21 seconds left. She hit both shots, giving Detroit an 85-83 edge.

Another turnover by Hammon forced New York (4-4) to foul, and Elaine Powell hit one of two from the line to make it a three-point game. Crystal Robinson missed a tying 3-pointer and Riley sealed the game from the line.

Riley added a career-high 18 points for Detroit, while Robinson had a season-best 22 and Whitmore added 20 for the Liberty. Robinson had 17 of her points in the first half, when New York took a 44-34 lead into the break.

ROCKERS 79, MYSTICS 74: In Cleveland, LaToya Thomas scored 18 points to lead Cleveland over Washington.

Chamique Holdsclaw had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead Washington (2-7), which overcame a 19-point deficit but lost its fourth straight and seventh in eight games.

Thomas, a rookie, made 7 of 11 shots and matched her high in points. She also scored 18 against Connecticut on Wednesday.

Betty Lennox finished with 17 points, and center Chasity Melvin had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland (5-3). Murriel Page and Coco Miller each scored nine for Washington.

STING 76, LYNX 72: In Charlotte, N.C., Allison Feaster scored 17 points as the Sting built a 17-point lead and then held off the Lynx.

Feaster had three 3-pointers and was 6-for-8 from the field as the Sting (6-4) ended a two-game losing streak. Tammy Sutton-Brown added 13 points and seven rebounds and Andrea Stinson and Dawn Staley each scored 11 points for Charlotte.

Tamika Williams scored 16 points for Minnesota (4-6), which has lost three straight and five of six.

FEVER 84, SUN 74: In Indianapolis, Coretta Brown came off the bench to score a career-high 22 points as the Fever won their ninth straight home game.

The Fever (5-3), who haven't lost at Conseco Fieldhouse since last July 19, built a 48-34 halftime lead with Tamika Catchings contributing 13 of her 22 points.

Nykesha Sales led Connecticut (5-4) with a season-high 26, including 17 in the first half.

SILVER STARS 76, COMETS 69: In San Antonio, Marie Ferdinand had 20 points, and San Antonio defeated Houston.

Margo Dydek added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Silver Stars. Jennifer Azzi added 13 points and Adrienne Goodson 12.

Tina Thompson led the Comets with 17 points, followed by Janeth Arcain with 16 and Sheryl Swoopes with 12.