AUBURN HILLS, MICH. ? The Cleveland Rockers knew their season depended on doing something they hadn’t done all year.

Beat the Detroit Shock.

The Rockers did just that, getting 16 points and eight rebounds from rookie LaToya Thomas Sunday to stave off elimination with a 66-59 victory and force Game Three in the first-round playoff.

The Shock swept the four regular-season games from the Rockers, then opened the best-of-three series with a 76-74 win in Cleveland.

Three of Detroit’s five victories came by three points or less.

Comets 69, Monarchs 48

Houston — Tina Thompson scored 17 points, and Sheryl Swoopes added 14 as Houston held off elimination from the WNBA playoffs.

The victory tied the series at 1-1 with the deciding game Tuesday night at Compaq Center.