Charlotte, N.C. — Sheri Sam scored 11 of her 26 points in the two overtimes, and the Charlotte Sting snapped a franchise-record 10-game losing streak Saturday night with an 82-73 victory over the Detroit Shock.
Sam hit a jumper that started a game-ending 9-0 run and gave Charlotte its first victory since July 7 and delivered Muggsy Bogues his first victory as Sting coach.
Tangela Smith added 22 points as Charlotte (4-22) overcame 37 percent shooting for the win.
Deanna Nolan scored 20 points in 47 minutes for the Shock (10-14), who committed 26 turnovers, including three in final run.
The game matched two of the five former NBA players now coaching WNBA teams - the 5-foot-3 Bogues and 6-11 Bill Laimbeer.
Bogues won in just his second game as coach and raised his hands in joy as the final buzzer sounded. Laimbeer patted him on the back as they walked to the tunnel.
Liberty 79, Storm 67
New York - Ann Wauters had 18 points, and Becky Hammon added 16 to lead New York past the defending champions.
Elena Baranova had 14 points and nine rebounds, and Crystal Robinson and Shameka Christon added 11 points apiece for New York (13-12), which pulled into a tie with Washington for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Lauren Jackson had 25 points and seven rebounds, and Sue Bird added 12 points and 10 assists for Seattle (14-12), which nearly came back from a 19-point deficit in the second half.
Sun 74, Fever 65
Indianapolis - Nykesha Sales matched her season high with 26 points, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 14 points and 12 rebounds, helping Connecticut past Indiana.
Connecticut (20-6) overcame a 10-point, first-half deficit and 20 turnovers, opening a 41â2-game lead over the Fever (15-10) in the Eastern Conference.
Tamika Catchings led Indiana with 17 points and 13 rebounds and became the fastest player in WNBA history to get 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists and 300 steals.
It took the Indiana All-Star 125 games to reach the milestone, raising her rebound total to 1,002. Sheryl Swoopes accomplished the feat in her 191st game.
Catchings now has 2,207 points, 1,002 rebounds, 454 assists and 307 steals.
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.