CHICAGO, Aug. 4 (Ticker) -- Cheryl Ford and Plenette Pierson provided an early jolt for the Detroit Shock.

Ford and Pierson led a first-quarter surge as the Shock coasted to a 76-49 victory over the hapless Chicago Sky.

Behind Ford and Pierson, who scored 15 points apiece, the Shock (20-9) won for the eighth time in 12 games to pull within three of first-place Connecticut in the Eastern Conference. Detroit has five games left.

The Shock left little doubt against the league's worst team by scoring the game's first 17 points. Deanna Nolan and Ford scored seven points apiece in the quarter that ended with the Shock holding a 29-6 advantage.

In the first quarter, the Sky made just 1-of-14 shots. Candice Dupree scored five of the Sky's six points in the period.

Nolan added 12 points for Detroit, which improved to 7-0 in the second end of back-to-back games.

Leading 49-19 at halftime, Detroit extended its margin to 66-27 following three quarters.

Stacey Lovelace-Tolbert scored 10 points to lead Chicago (4-25), which shot 28 percent (15-of-54) and committed 23 turnovers.

Next Games: The Sky play at the Liberty on Saturday, while the Shock host the Liberty on Sunday.