Shock Victory Is One for the Books

It was a record-setting day for the Detroit Shock in their 111-74 victory over the Indiana Fever Sunday at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Shock set a WNBA record for points and team records for points in a half (66 in the second), field-goal percentage (59.3%), steals (19) and margin of victory. Detroit’s previous mark for points in a regulation game came two days earlier in a 93-81 win at Cleveland.

Detroit (4-4) led at halftime, 45-43. Indiana (3-5) tied the score, at 47-47, early in the second half, but the Shock went on an 11-0 run during the next five minutes.

Danielle McCulley ended the run with a layup, but the Shock scored the next 20 points to extend itslead to 78-49 with 9:18 left.

Utah 56, Seattle 53--Kate Starbird sparked a 17-5 run late in the game as the Starzz rallied at Seattle.

Starbird scored five consecutive points during Utah’s run and gave the Starrz (6-5) the lead for good with a three-point play that made the score 50-49. Edna Campbell led the Storm (2-7) with 21 points.

Utah’s Natalie Williams, who averages 19 points and 13 rebounds, sat out the game because of a lower back strain suffered during pregame warmups.

New York 58, Miami 52--The Liberty (4-5) scored the first eight points of the second half to take an 18-point lead--itsbiggest of the game--at 41-23 with 17:43 left, then held on at Madison Square Garden.

When Katrina Colleton made a three-point shot with 6:25 left, the Sol (3-6) was within 45-42. Miami then cut it to 49-47 with 2:37 left.

But Vickie Johnson made a basket and the Liberty scored its last seven points on free throws to clinch the victory.

Houston 78, Minnesota 66--Cynthia Cooper scored a season-high 25 points and Sheryl Swoopes had 20 to lead the Comets (9-1) at Houston. Minnesota is 6-3.

Minnesota’s Katie Smith, the WNBA’s leading scorer, didn’t get her first basket until 3:11 was left in the first half, but finished with 18 points.