CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Aug. 8 (Ticker) -- A balanced attack by the Charlotte Sting prevented the Houston Comets from reaching the postseason.

Sheri Sam scored 13 points and grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and Tangela Smith added 12 points to lead the Sting to a 68-57 victory over the Comets.

Playing again without injured stars Tina Thompson, Dominique Canty, Tamecka Dixon and Tari Phillips, Houston (17-15) failed to clinch its ninth postseason appearance in 10 years by losing for the third time in four games.

After Roneeka Hodges hit a layup to give the Comets a 42-37 lead with 6:54 left in the third quarter, the Sting closed the period on an 18-3 run. Smith scored five points, Sam and Monique Currie hit a pair of baskets and Kelly Mazzante nailed a 3-pointer during the burst.

Charlotte kept the pressure up early in the fourth quarter with baskets by Ayana Walker, Sam and Smith, while holding the Comets without a basket for the first 4:53 of the period.

In winning for just the third time in nine contests, the Sting (10-22) snapped a three-game home losing streak by forcing 24 turnovers and limiting the Comets to just 22 second-half points.

All-Star Michelle Snow recorded her third double-double in five games with 18 points and 14 rebounds and Hodges scored 15 for Houston, which needs one more win to qualify for the postseason.