Late free throws help Comets edge Storm

Tina Thompson scored 20 points, and Houston made six free throws in the final 40 seconds to beat Seattle 81-76 on Thursday night.

The win was the fourth in a row at home for the Comets, who started the season 0-10 but have won two straight and four of their last five.

After Roneeka Hodges hit both of her free throws in the final minute to give Houston (4-11) a five-point lead, Betty Lennox was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws to make it 77-75 with 32 seconds left.

Thompson was fouled and made both free throws with 13 seconds left. After Lauren Jackson made 1 for 2 from the line to make it 79-76, Hodges made two more free throws to put the game away.

Hamchetou Maiga-Ba scored 15 points and Hodges had 14 off the bench for Houston. Sancho Lyttle added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Jackson led the Storm (7-7) with 25 points and eight rebounds, and Lennox had 23 points.

Houston started the fourth quarter with a 12-2 run, but Seattle used a 7-0 run capped by Lennox’s 3-pointer with 1:22 left that made it 75-72. Sue Bird had a chance to tie the game with 44 seconds left, but her 3-point attempt rimmed out.