Shock-Silver Stars Preview

By KATE HEDLIN
Posted Aug 25 2012 12:54AM

The San Antonio Silver Stars saw their franchise-best winning streak come to an end their last time out, but bouncing back after an ugly performance won't be the only motivation heading into their next game.

Trying to clinch a playoff spot, the Silver Stars look to win their ninth straight at home Saturday night when they take on the Tulsa Shock.

San Antonio's 12-game winning streak came to an end with a 101-77 loss to Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Silver Stars (16-6) trailed 59-35 at the half and allowed the Sparks to shoot 57.1 percent overall and go 10 of 19 from 3-point range. They never got within 22 in the second half while giving up their most points of the season.

"They shot lights out," said Sophia Young, who was held to nine points and sat for most of the fourth quarter. "I thought our defense was terrible. We weren't focused at all. We've got to give them credit. They played much better than we did. We can definitely play much better basketball than that."

One bright spot was another strong performance by Danielle Robinson, who finished with a season-high 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting. The second-year guard had matched her previous season high two days earlier, finishing with 16 in a win over Washington.

Scoring 9.5 points per game this season, Robinson has averaged 14.5 over the last six contests and 13.0 in two wins against the Shock.

She and San Antonio will try to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since June 3-8 and clinch a sixth straight playoff berth on Saturday.

The Silver Stars have won eight straight over the Shock (4-18), including both meetings this year. Young had 20 points in an 89-79 win Aug. 17.

San Antonio led by 14 after the first quarter in that game but trailed by a point heading into the fourth. It could get off to another fast start Saturday with the Shock having played the night before.

Tulsa rallied for an 81-78 overtime win over Chicago on Friday, overcoming a 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Roneeka Hodges and Riquina Williams each had 22 points, with Williams scoring eight in the extra period to help the Shock snap a five-game losing streak.

It was the second straight overtime game for the Shock, who are tied with Phoenix for the worst record in the WNBA. They lost by two at Connecticut on Tuesday to drop to 0-9 on the road this year.

"It feels good," coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "These guys really deserve it. They played so hard. It's great that we finally got (the victory). We've had so many close games and to get over the hump is huge. Q (Williams) is kind of a streaking player but when she gets going like that, you have to leave her out there.''

Tulsa has dropped 12 straight away from home since a 77-75 win over Los Angeles on Aug. 26, 2011.

Perkins helps Silver Stars roll past Shock 91-71

Posted Aug 25 2012 11:45PM

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Jia Perkins scored 21 points and Danielle Adams added 18 to lead the Silver Stars to a 91-71 victory over the Tulsa Shock on Saturday night.

Sophia Young added 15 points and Becky Hammon 13 for San Antonio (17-6).

Riquna Williams led Tulsa (4-19) with 17 points and Ivory Latta added 15. They were the only two players in double figures.

Two days after having their 12-game winning streak snapped by the Sparks in Los Angeles, San Antonio extended its home winning streak to nine. The Silver Stars only loss at home came in their opener May 30 against Chicago.

``We didn't play so well against L.A.,'' Adams said, ``(but) we had to retune our focus to Tulsa. We came out aggressive. We were acting like we didn't lose against L.A. That's how we have to come out every game.''

San Antonio outscored Tulsa 47-25 in the second and third quarters in securing its ninth straight victory over the Shock.

Tulsa took its largest lead at 15-12 in the first on Latta's free throw to complete a four-point play. Latta was fouled on a 3-pointer by Robinson, although replays showed no contact.

Williams scored seven of Tulsa's final 10 points in the first quarter after entering with 4 minutes left. She hit a 3-pointer and sprinted for two layups, including one with 4 seconds left to pull within 27-25 after the first quarter.

The Silver Stars' reserves sparked a 17-0 run to open the second quarter that gave the team a lead it never relinquished.

``I think we turned our defense up,'' Perkins said. ``We started pressuring them and just tried to make them go where we wanted them to go instead of them going wherever they want to. And, I think once we did that, we got into transition where we could run and get some easy baskets.''

Perkins' free throw completed a three-point play after she was fouled on a layup. The play gave San Antonio a 36-27 lead and prompted a timeout by Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg.

The break did little to slow San Antonio. Adams scored San Antonio's next eight points following the timeout.

``They really got up into us,'' Kloppenburg said. ``They turned us over three or four times. (They) got some easy run outs. I thought they came out and looked real sharp - their energy was high, and they jumped on us that second quarter. We had trouble with that.''

The Silver Stars extended their lead to as many as 23 points in the third quarter. They made four 3-pointers and outrebounded Tulsa 20-7 in the third.

Perkins' 3-pointer gave San Antonio a 70-50 lead with 2 minutes left in the third.

The Silver Stars maintained a double-figure advantage in the fourth even after emptying their bench against the Shock.

Dorrell's 14-foot jumper pulled Tulsa within 19 at 83-64 with 5 minutes remaining, but it was the closest it would come.

``It's a pretty nice situation when you don't have to play Becky Hammon and Sophia Young in the fourth quarter, especially in this stretch,'' Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes said. ``That's our fifth game in 10 days. Tomorrow will be the first day we haven't been on a plane or played a game in 10 days.''

The Shock were playing their second game in as many days.

``It was a very tough game,'' Latta said. ``We played one of if not the best teams in the league and we are coming off back-to-back games and I don't want to blame it on fatigue, but we know we need to come out and play better.''

• Shock: --
• Silver Stars: --

• Shock: --
• Silver Stars: --

• Lead Changes: 8
• Times Tied: 8

• Arena: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
• Officials: #38 Lamont Simpson, #45 Tom Mauer, #25 Marcus Clayton
• Attendance: 9029
• Duration: 1:48