Shock’s inside game too much for Storm

Even without All-Star game MVP Cheryl Ford, the Detroit Shock are tough to beat.

Deanna Nolan scored 18 points and Kara Braxton added 17 to help the Shock beat the Seattle Storm 97-70 Thursday night in Detroit for their fifth straight victory.

“Whenever one player goes down, everyone else has to stand up,” said Braxton, who tied her season scoring mark. “We know we all have to play a major part during her absence.”

The Shock improved to 7-1 since losing Ford to a knee injury, and can secure home-court advantage in the Eastern playoffs with one more win in its last six games.

Iziane Castro Marques had 24 points to lead the Storm, who dropped their second straight and fifth in the last six games. Betty Lennox added 13 points and Ashley Robinson had 12 rebounds.

Silver Stars 72, Monarchs 61: At San Antonio, Sophia Young and Shanna Crossley both scored 19 points and Becky Hammon had 16 points and eight assists in her return from a foot injury as the Silver Stars defeated Sacramento.

The Silver Stars pulled a game ahead of the Monarchs for second place in the Western Conference.

Yolanda Griffith had 15 points and 19 rebounds for Sacramento, and Rebekkah Brunson added 12 points.

Mercury 97, Liberty 86: At Phoenix, Penny Taylor scored 31 points to lead four Mercury players in double figures and Phoenix beat New York.

Phoenix won for the eighth time in nine games and remained atop the Western Conference, a game ahead of San Antonio. Cappie Pondexter added 27 points, Diana Taurasi 14 and Tangela Smith 11 for Phoenix, which tied a franchise mark for wins in a season.

Mystics 80, Sparks 75: At Los Angeles, Alana Beard scored 22 points and dished out six assists to lead Washington over the Sparks.