Storm hand Shock first loss of season

Janell Burse scored 18 points and Lauren Jackson added 15 as the Seattle Storm jumped out to a big lead and handed the Detroit Shock their first loss of the season, 76-61 Wednesday night in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Seattle won for the fifth time in six games, despite missing Sue Bird, who was not with the team after breaking two bones in her face in a collision with Jackson during Tuesday night’s loss in Connecticut.

Betty Lennox added 13 points for Seattle.

Mercury 66, Sparks 63: At Los Angeles, Diana Taurasi scored 26 points and Plenette Pierson made four late free throws to lead Phoenix to a victory over Los Angeles, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Chamique Holdsclaw led the Sparks with 25 points and nine rebounds. Teammate Lisa Leslie added 17 points.