AUBURN HILLS, MICH. ? Deanna Nolan was embarrassed after making just three of 17 shots in Sunday’s playoff loss to the Cleveland Rockers.

Nolan and her Detroit Shock teammates were feeling a different emotion Tuesday night.

Nolan scored 26 points, including 16 in the first six minutes, and the Shock won their first playoff series with a 77-63 victory in Game 3.

“The game on Sunday really upset us,” said Nolan, whose six three-pointers were one short of Mwadi Mabika’s postseason record. “We were very emotional tonight, because we knew how badly we played on Sunday. This feels pretty good.”

The top-seeded Shock advance to the Eastern Conference finals against third-seeded Connecticut. Game 1 is in Connecticut Friday.

Swin Cash added 14 points and Ruth Riley 11 for Detroit. Rookie Cheryl Ford finished with 15 rebounds, including a league-record 10 defensive boards in the first half.

Chasity Melvin led Cleveland with 19 points.

Monarchs 70, Comets 68

Houston — Yolanda Griffith had 27 points and 17 rebounds, and Ticha Penicheiro made the decisive basket with 2.1 seconds left as Sacramento advanced by ousting Houston.

The Monarchs will play the Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference finals. Game 1 will be Friday in Sacramento.

DeMya Walker added 15 points, and Edna Campbell had 12 for the Monarchs. Tina Thompson led the Comets with 21 points.