Shock beat Sting for first time in 6 tries

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Deanna Nolan had four of her 17 points on free throws in the closing seconds to lead the Detroit Shock to a 65-60 victory Wednesday night that ended the Charlotte Sting’s four-game winning streak.

Ruth Riley added 13 points and Swin Cash 11 for the Shock (7-4), first in the Eastern Conference. Detroit snapped a five-game losing streak against Charlotte (6-6).

After 10 ties and 10 lead changes, the Shock went on a 9-0 run, capped by Cash’s three-point play, to give Detroit its largest lead at 53-47 with 6:16 left.

The Sting got within three on Nicole Powell’s 3-pointer, but Nolan hit two free throws with 13.9 seconds left. Powell’s basket with 4 seconds left cut the deficit to three again, but Nolan hit two more free throws with 3.9 seconds to go.

Andrea Stinson had 16 points for the Sting. Dawn Staley added 12 points and Tammy Sutton-Brown had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Detroit outrebounded Charlotte 31-23 despite being without starting forward Cheryl Ford. The league’s leading rebounder went to Louisiana to attend her grandfather’s funeral and a team spokesman said it’s unknown when she’ll return.