Storm surge past Comets with big half

Betty Lennox scored 24 points and Lauren Jackson had 17 points and 12 rebounds, leading the defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm to a 79-69 come-from-behind victory over the Houston Comets on Friday night at Seattle.

The Storm, who lost to Los Angeles at home by 18 points in their opener last Saturday, trailed Houston by 14 points at halftime. Seattle then outscored the Comets 53-29 in the second half.

The 6-foot-5 Jackson, a three-time WNBA All-Star and the league Most Valuable Player in 2003, had 12 points and eight rebounds in the second half, while Lennox scored 18 points.

Michelle Snow had 17 points and Sheryl Swoopes added 16 for the Comets, who lost for the first time in three games.

The Comets led 40-26 at halftime, holding Jackson to five points on 2-for-5 shooting. Jackson didn’t get her first basket until 2:50 was left in the opening quarter when she scored on a putback after missing her first three shots.

Monarchs 71, Silver Stars 67: At San Antonio, Yolanda Griffith finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Sacramento to victory over San Antonio.

The Monarchs held San Antonio to 47 shots from the floor. The franchise low for shots attempted is 43 on July 26, 2001, when the Silver Stars were the Utah Starzz.

The Silver Stars, who have lost all three games this season, also tied a franchise record for fewest field goals attempted for one half with 19.