WNBA Roundup | Detroit scores record 72 points in 2nd half, wins

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Shock tried to make things simple and the concept worked in spectacular fashion.

Katie Smith scored 20 points, Deanna Nolan added 18 and the Shock used a league-record 72-point second half to rout the Phoenix Mercury 111-82 Sunday night.

"We got back to basics," said Smith, who scored 12 of her 20 points during a 21-2 third-quarter run. "We rebounded and we attacked the basket."

The Shock (12-5) seemed energized by coach Bill Laimbeer's benching of All-Star center Kara Braxton for what he perceived as lethargic play. Braxton played the last 3:42, entering long after the game was decided.

"Kara's role right now is .... we'll have to see," Laimbeer said. "It's probably going to change from day to day."

Even without the Eastern Conference's starting center, the defending league champions took over a close game with a dominant third quarter. Detroit scored a league-record 40 points in the period, turning a two-point halftime deficit into a 79-60 lead.

"We were sharp in the first half, but sharp only matters if you do it for 40 minutes," Phoenix coach Paul Westhead said. "They shot the ball well and they rebounded well, and we struggled to score. That's not a good combination."

The Shock led by as many as 34 down the stretch as it surpassed its own record for points in a half by six.

"That's just something that happened," Laimbeer said. "We got them on their heels and we started hitting shots."

Eight Detroit players scored at least seven points, with six in double figures. Three players had at least 10 rebounds, as the Shock outrebounded Phoenix 69-32.

Tangela Smith led Phoenix (11-8) with 16 points, but Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter combined for a mere 15 on 7-for-27 shooting.

Detroit was physical.

"When you post up, elbow them in the face and make them make a call," Laimbeer shouted to his players during the second quarter.

Kraayeveld helps

Liberty beat Monarchs

NEW YORK — Cathrine Kraayeveld and Erin Thorn scored 13 points apiece, leading the New York Liberty to a 71-61 victory over the Sacramento Monarchs.

Loree Moore scored 12 points and Shameka Christon added 10 for the Liberty (10-8), winner of three of four. New York has won consecutive games against last year's WNBA Finals teams, as it beat Detroit 82-81 in overtime on Friday.

Kraayeveld, a graduate of Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, made 5 of 9 shots and added a team-high eight rebounds.

Rebekkah Brunson scored 18 points and Nicole Powell had 11 for Sacramento (12-7), which lost for the third time in five games.

Other games

Comets 79, at Lynx 67

Tina Thompson scored 23 points to help Houston (5-13) beat Minnesota (5-14) in a matchup of the West's bottom two teams. The Comets got their first road win of the season.

Seimone Augustus led the Lynx with 22 points.

At Fever 86, Sky 70

Tamika Catchings collected 16 points and a career-high 11 assists to carry league-leading Indiana (13-4) past Chicago (8-10).

Candice Dupree had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Sky.