June 20, 2007: Scoreboard | Video Play of the Day | Photo Gallery | Today in the WNBA Archive

PHOTO OF THE DAY Comets owner Hilton Koch and his daughter show their faith during Houston's first win of the season on Wednesday. Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images

Houston Ends Drought With First Victory Comets Win First Game of Season: In the 11-season existence of the WNBA, the Houston Comets, who have captured four titles (1997-2000) and have missed the playoffs just once (2004), are clearly considered the most prestigious franchise in league history. This year, however, has been a much different story. The Comets started 0-10 and have been without three-time gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes due to a bulging disc in her lower back. On Wednesday, Houston showed that it still has something left with a convincing 74-64 triumph over Los Angeles to snap its longest losing skid in club history. Michelle Snow registered 21 points and nine rebounds, while Tina Thompson scored 20. ALSO MAKING HEADLINES ... Mystics-Mercury Set WNBA Record: We have come to expect the high-octane Phoenix Mercury to score at will. The Washington Mystics, on the other hand, have been waiting in the wings to erupt. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the two teams set a new WNBA record Wednesday with a combined 207 points -- the most in a game that ended in regulation since 2000 when the Monarchs and Shock notched 204. Alana Beard racked up a season-best 29 points as Washington erupted for its own franchise-high in points with a 106-101 triumph in Phoenix. Diana Taurasi registered 25 points for the Mercury, who sat Cappie Pondexter with a strained groin. Beard WHAT THEY'RE SAYING “We think the trade is good for both teams -- it will allow Lisa to gain more playing time in New York and Baker is a dynamic and explosive guard who I think everybody in Los Angeles will be excited to watch play.” -- Sparks’ General Manager Penny Toler comments on Wednesday's trade that sent Lisa Willis to the Liberty in exchange for Sherill Baker. Willis

WHO'S HOT Katie Smith, Shock 23 pts, 9-14 FG, 3-6 3-pt FG in 87-71 win at Storm Sophia Young, Silver Stars 24 pts, 11-16 FG in 80-73 win vs. Lynx Alana Beard, Mystics 29 pts, 10-18 FG, 3-8 3-pt FG, 6-6 FT in 106-101 win at Mercury

Smith

WHO'S NOT Lauren Jackson, Storm 11 pts, 5-11 FG, 0-3 3-pt FG in 87-71 loss vs. Shock Kelly Mazzante, Mercury 13 pts, 5-13 FG, 2-8 3-pt FG in 106-101 loss vs. Mystics Lindsey Harding, Lynx 14 pts, 6-15 FG, 1-3 FT in 80-73 loss at Silver Stars

Jackson

WHO'S ON TAP Friday's Games ... Sun at Fever: 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV Silver Stars at Liberty: 7:30 p.m. ET Storm at Lynx: 8 p.m. ET on NBA TV Mystics at Comets: 8:30 p.m. ET Shock at Mercury: 10 p.m. ET Monarchs at Sparks: 10:30 ET on NBA TV

Catchings

McCarville

SHINING OFF THE BENCH In 2004, Lindsay Whalen and Janel McCarville led the University of Minnesota to its first ever NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four. Now, two of the most renowned WNBA players in Big Ten history are competitors in the same division. On Wednesday, McCarville, the No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft, helped the Liberty erase an early 17-0 deficit with six points, three steals and a block in the first half off the bench as N.Y. handed Connecticut its first five-game skid in six years. Whalen, meanwhile, had nine points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Sun.

COMING UP CLUTCH After missing the last two games with a sprained left knee, Cheryl Ford returned Wednesday to provide a defensive spark. The two-time WNBA champion posted 10 points, seven rebounds and, most importantly, helped limit Lauren Jackson to a season-low 11 points as the Shock defeated the Storm, 87-71, for just the second time in the past six meetings. Katie Smith, meanwhile, lifted Detroit offensively with 23 points and five assists and Deanna Nolan pitched in with 18 points and five assists.

Ford