AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 20 (Ticker) -- Deanna Nolan was in the middle of everything down the stretch.

Nolan scored 10 of her 14 points in the final 2 1/2 minutes, took a flagrant foul and sent a message at the buzzer as the Detroit Shock defeated the Connecticut Sun, 66-57, in a heated matinee.

In a matchup between the last two Eastern Conference champions, the Shock (8-10) improved to 2-1 this season against the Sun (15-5), who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Held without a basket for the first 37 minutes, Nolan had a three-point play with 2:23 remaining that gave the Shock the lead for good at 57-55. She added three free throws around a hoop by the Sun's Taj McWilliams-Franklin for a 60-57 edge with 22 seconds to go.

Lindsay Whalen committed a turnover and Cheryl Ford split a pair of free throws. Teammate Swin Cash rebounded the second foul shot and was fouled by Whalen, sinking 1-of-2 from the line for a 62-57 bulge with 20 seconds left.

In the closing seconds, Whalen flagrantly fouled Nolan, who made 1-of-2 free throws. On the ensuing possession, Nolan drained a 3-pointer instead of dribbling out the clock.

After the buzzer, Sun coach Mike Thibault and Shock coach Bill Laimbeer exchanged heated words.

Reserve Chandi Jones scored 14 points and Ford added 12 and 12 rebounds for the Shock, who shot under 40 percent (23-of-58) but made 17-of-24 free throws. Nolan made just 2-of-6 shots but sank 9-of-11 free throws.

Nykesha Sales scored 17 points, reserve Asjha Jones added 15 and McWilliams-Franklin 12 and 11 boards for the Sun, who shot below 36 percent (24-of-67) and made 6-of-11 from the line.

Whalen and backcourt mate Katie Douglas combined for seven points on just 3-of-15 shooting.