Uncasville, Conn. ? Ruth Riley was more than the Connecticut Sun could handle, even with Swin Cash and Deanna Nolan on the Detroit Shock’s bench.

The 6-foot-5 Riley had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Shock to a 73-63 win Friday night over the Connecticut Sun in the first game of the best-of-three WNBA Eastern Conference finals.

“It was great to be able to be more aggressive offensively, especially when the team needs you,” Riley said. “It’s not too often you’re going to see Deanna and Swin not out there on the court.”

Cash scored 10 of her 15 points in the second half.

Nykesha Sales led Connecticut with 22 points, including the Sun’s first eight in the second half.

Monarchs 77, Sparks 69

Sacramento, Calif. — Yolanda Griffith scored 17 points to lead Sacramento to victory over Los Angeles in the WNBA’s Western Conference finals. The Monarchs squandered a sizable lead, briefly lost it in the second half, then played steady down the stretch to hold off the two-time defending champions. Lisa Leslie had 25 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Sparks.