Sun-Shock Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Aug 27 2011 4:18PM

Following a brutal two-plus months, Sheryl Swoopes gave the Tulsa Shock reason to celebrate.

After snapping its WNBA-record 20-game losing streak, Tulsa tries for another rare victory when it hosts the Connecticut Sun, who look to clinch their first playoff appearance in three seasons Sunday.

Tulsa (2-25) trailed by 10 in the first quarter Friday but battled back to record their first road victory of the season, defeating Los Angeles 77-75 on Swoopes' 16-foot jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining. The Shock had been outscored by an average of 15.3 points during their skid.

"I'm sure no one gave us a shot to win this game. When you have one win, to win a game like this feels really good," said Swoopes, who finished with a season high-tying 17 points and a season-best nine rebounds. "We believed. It was just a matter of time."

The Shock, whose only other victory was June 18, gave interim coach Teresa Edwards her first win in 16 games since taking over for Nolan Richardson on July 10.

"It's unreal. It's unbelievable," Edwards said. "I was waiting to see if we were ever going to get one."

Swoopes, a three-time league MVP and four-time champion, has come on strong of late, averaging 14.0 points over her last four games - 6.5 above her season mark.

"She may not be the same as she once was, but she hit a big shot when they needed it most," Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones said. "It was a patented Sheryl Swoopes jumper."

Swoopes was held to nine points during a 90-79 loss to Connecticut on June 12 - Tulsa's third straight defeat in the series.

The Shock haven't recorded back-to-back wins since May 29-June 4, 2010, and are likely to have their hands full with the red-hot Sun (18-10).

Connecticut rallied from 11 down in the third quarter and beat Phoenix 95-92 on Friday - its fourth win in six games. Guard Kara Lawson broke an 86-all tie with a 3-pointer and made four free throws in the final 13 seconds, while All-Star center Tina Charles finished with 17 points and nine boards.

The Sun, in second place in the East, can secure a postseason berth for the first time since 2008 with a win or a Chicago loss to New York. Connecticut has recorded a conference-best 16 wins when scoring at least 70 points, and will be facing a Tulsa team that is allowing opponents to shoot 48.0 percent from the floor - worst in the league.

The Shock are giving up 81.3 points per game.

The Sun have dropped three of four on the road by a combined 11 points. Each of their last three road contests have gone to overtime.

Swoopes helps Shock stun Sun for 2nd straight win

Posted Aug 28 2011 8:28PM

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Sheryl Swoopes' right shoulder and left knee were wrapped in bags of ice after the game. However, the smile on her face said it all.

Swoopes scored 22 points to help the Tulsa beat the Connecticut Sun 83-72 Sunday for the Shock's second straight win following a record 20-game losing streak.

``Everyone who played contributed to this win, everyone,'' said Swoopes, who hit the winning jumper in final seconds of a 77-75 victory at Los Angeles on Friday night. ``To get a home win for our crowd was great. They have supported us throughout the losing streak.''

Ivory Latta had 19 points, Tiffany Jackson added 16 points and 12 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season, and Amber Holt scored 10 poitns as the Shock (3-25) won consecutive games for just the second time since moving to Tulsa before last season.

Tulsa, which trailed 48-33 early in the third quafter, closed the period with a 21-9 run to tie the score at 59-all. The Shock then outscored the Sun 24-13 in the fourth to pull away for their second home win this year.

``Even though we can't make the playoffs, we feel like we can impact other teams getting to the playoffs,'' Jackson said. ``Once you get that first one, it's mental, you think you can win them all.''

The Shock last won consecutive games on May 29 and June 4 last year.

Tina Charles had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Connecticut (18-11), which began the day second in the Eastern Conference - 1 1/2 games up on third-place New York. Renee Montgomery added 12 points.

Charles, the reigning rookie of the year, didn't score after Shock interim coach Teresa Edwards inserted Abi Olajuwon into the lineup in the third quarter.

``I focused on pushing her out as far as possible from the basket,'' said Olajuwon, who had four points. ``I knew if I boxed her out, it would allow my teammates to get the rebound. I focused on my defense and let my shot come to me.''

Edwards received a game ball for the second consecutive time.

``The first one was sweet and all but I think this one is even better because it came in front of our fans,'' she said. ``We're starting to turn the corner. Our confidence is up and we're not going to base our team on what anybody else (opponent) is thinking. We'll do our best.''

• Sun: --
• Shock: --

• Sun: --
• Shock: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
• Officials: #25 Marcus Clayton, #4 Sue Blauch, #8 Daryl Humphrey
• Attendance: 4813
• Duration: 1:47