Comets defeat Shock in Staley’s Houston debut

Sheryl Swoopes hit a 12-foot jumper with 23 seconds to play to give the Houston Comets a 62-61 victory over the Detroit Shock on Tuesday night in Houston.

Recently acquired point guard Dawn Staley hit a long 3-pointer to give Houston a 60-59 lead with 2 minutes, 46 seconds left.

Swoopes, who finished with 17 points, hit her winning shot after Deanna Nolan had given Detroit a 61-60 lead with 40 seconds left.

Sun 72, Liberty 65: At New York, Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 19 points and seven rebounds, and Katie Douglas added 18 points to lead Connecticut over New York.

Monarchs 67, Silver Stars 57: At San Antonio, Yolanda Griffith had 21 points and 14 rebounds and Sacramento beat San Antonio for its fifth straight victory.

Mystics 65, Sting 63: At Washington, Chasity Melvin had 17 points and seven rebounds to lead Washington over Charlotte, which has lost a franchise-record nine straight games. The Sting also placed guard Alison Feaster on the injured list for the remainder of the season because of pain related to her pregnancy.