Nolan’s late scores secure win for Shock

Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer wanted the ball in Deanna Nolan’s hands at the end of the game.

Nolan, coming off a triple-double against Connecticut on Saturday, scored five of her 17 points at the free throw line in the final 34 seconds to help the Detroit Shock to a 78-71 victory over the New York Liberty on Sunday in New York.

“Deanna took over the game,” Laimbeer said. “She took it upon herself to take the ball to the hoop from fullcourt.”

Nolan was 8 of 9 from the foul line and Cheryl Ford added 15 points and 18 rebounds for the taller and more physical Shock, who had a team-record 52 rebounds.

“Cheryl is a great, dominant player,” Nolan said. “I don’t think anybody can stop her but herself.”

Detroit has four players 6-foot-3 or taller, including Ruth Riley (6-5) and rookie Kara Braxton (6-6).

“Rebounding is our strength,” Laimbeer said. “That’s who we are. We’re big, we’re strong, we’re athletic.”

Becky Hammon had 15 of her 24 points in the second half for New York, which shot just 31 percent. Vickie Johnson added 16 points, and Ann Wauters had 14 for the Liberty, who opened at home for just the second time in nine seasons.

At halftime, the Liberty presented former league president Val Ackerman with a plaque and a photo of the tipoff of the inaugural WNBA game. New York beat the Sparks 67-57 in Los Angeles on June 21, 1997.

Sun 69, Mystics 67: At Washington, Katie Douglas scored 16 points, including four free throws in the final 38 seconds, to help Connecticut hold off Washington.

Nykesha Sales scored 13 points and Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 10 points and six rebounds for the Sun.

Chasity Melvin led the Mystics with 15 points and seven rebounds in their home opener. Temeka Johnson added 12 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 10 for Washington.

Fever 68, Sting 58: At Indianapolis, Deanna Jackson scored 12 points and Jurgita Streimikyte added 10 to lead Indiana to a victory over Charlotte.

Indiana limited Charlotte to just two field goals in the final 9 minutes to win its season opener.

Sheri Sam scored 13 points and Dawn Staley added 10 for the Sting, who have lost their first two games.

Comets 79, Lynx 65: At Houston, Sheryl Swoopes scored 27 points and Michelle Snow added a career-high 20 and 11 rebounds to lead Houston to a victory over Minnesota.

Swoopes scored 15 points in the first half and helped Houston break open a close game in the second half. The Comets are 2-0 for the first time since 2003.

Nicole Ohlde scored 18 points for the Lynx, who lost their season opener and fell to 1-10 in Houston.

The Lynx got a combined 19 points from Katie Smith and Svetlana Abrosimova.