WNBA : Jackson, Storm can’t find rhythm in Detroit

Katie Smith had 23 points and Deanna Nolan scored 18 to lead the Detroit Shock to an 87-71 victory over the Seattle Storm on Wednesday night.

Nolan hit a 3-pointer with 3 minutes left in the third quarter to give the defending champion Shock (9-1) a 20-point lead.

Janell Burse had 21 points to lead the Storm (5-5), who fell behind 8-0 in the first 2 minutes of the game and never led.

Detroit held Lauren Jackson to just 11 points – 12 less than her average. She shot 5 for 11 from the field in 31 minutes and spent part of the game on the bench in foul trouble.

Nolan scored seven points and had three assists in the third quarter to help the Shock build the 20-point lead. Smith shot 9 for 14 while Nolan was 8 for 13, and they each had five assists.

Comets 74, Sparks 64: At Houston, Michelle Snow had 21 points and Tina Thompson added 20 to lead Houston to its first win of the season, over Los Angeles. Snow also had nine rebounds for the Comets (1-10), who never trailed in the game and evened a 74-71 loss to the Sparks on June 13 at Los Angeles.

Silver Stars 80, Lynx 73: At San Antonio, Sophia Young scored a career-high 24 points and Becky Hammon added 18 to help San Antonio beat Minnesota. Young shot 11 for 16 from the field for her second straight 20-point game for the Silver Stars (6-4). Erin Buescher had 13 points and Vickie Johnson 10.

Liberty 76, Sun 73: At Uncasville, Conn., Shameka Christon scored 22 points as New York overcame a 17-point deficit and beat Connecticut. Ashley Battle added 18 points to help the Liberty (7-4) win for the second time in their last six games. Katie Douglas and Nykesha Sales scored 17 points apiece for Connecticut.

Mystics 106, Mercury 101: At Phoenix, Alana Beard scored 29 points, DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 22 and Washington defeated Phoenix. Diana Taurasi had 25 points for the Mercury.