Lynx rally to beat Comets 98-92 in OT

HOUSTON (AP)—Seimone Augustus scored 25 points and Nicky Anosike added 20 more to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the Houston Comets

98-92 in overtime Tuesday night in Houston’s home opener.

Augustus finished with nine rebounds and four assists and the Lynx erased a 12-point deficit in the last five minutes of regulation and forced overtime when Augustus hit an easy basket with 26.8 seconds left.

In the last 15 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Comets’ Erica White turned the ball over but the Lynx could not get a shot off.

Minnesota then scored six of the first eight points in overtime, including four by Anosike in the first 2:57.

Anna De Forge added 19 points and six rebounds for the Lynx (2-0), who are off to their best start since 1999.

Tina Thompson had 20 points and nine rebounds as the Comets fell to 0-3 for the second straight season.

Mwadi Mabika and Sancho Lyttle added 14 points each for Houston, which had 17 turnovers.

The Comets led 26-17 after the first quarter as Thompson carved up the Lynx for 10 points in the first 12 minutes. But Minnesota, playing its first road game of the season, responded with a 10-0 run to start the second quarter and took its first lead when Noelle Quinn made an easy layup with 6:31 left in the half.

But as quickly as that lead disappeared, it returned. Mabika scored eight points in a 15-0 Houston run that Shannon Johnson capped by making a long 3 with 2:43 left.

The Lynx got back in the game with an 8-0 run and made it 45-37 on a last-second layup by Vanessa Hayden-Johnson as time expired in the first half.

Beard, McWilliams Franklin lead Mystics, 80-74

WASHINGTON (AP)—Alana Beard scored 19 of her 25 points in the second half and Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 19 and nine rebounds to help the Washington Mystics beat the Atlanta Dream 80-74 Tuesday night.

Beard scored seven of the final nine points for the Mystics (2-2), who outrebounded the Dream 41-20.

Betty Lennox scored 29 points for Atlanta (0-4), which nearly rallied from a nine point deficit in the fourth quarter. Lennox, who made six of seven 3-pointers, hit two of them on an 8-0 run that cut the lead to 71-70 with about 3 minutes remaining.

After Beard hit consecutive free throws, Lennox nailed a mid-range jumper to cut the lead back to one before Beard’s layup and free throw gave the Mystics a four-point cushion with 52 seconds left. Lennox countered with another basket, but Beard, who hit 10 of 12 free throws, and Monique Currie each hit two free throws to seal the win.

The expansion Dream lost by double figures in their first three games.

The Mystics won their second game in a row, but their first without injured point guard Nikki Blue. Amber Jacobs started for the first time since 2006, and had no points, but three assists.

Douglas scores 23 as Fever rout Sun 75-46

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP)—Katie Douglas scored 23 points in her return to Connecticut, leading the Indiana Fever to a 75-46 win over the Sun on Tuesday night.

Douglas, who played five seasons in Connecticut, was traded to Indiana for Tamika Whitmore during the offseason.

She scored 14 of her points in the first half when the Fever (2-1) took a double-digit lead it never gave up. Tan White added 15 points for the Fever.

Lindsay Whalen led the Sun (3-1) with 13 points.

Connecticut trailed by 22 points at halftime and got as close as 16 early in the third quarter at 48-32. But Indiana outscored Connecticut 14-7 the rest of the way and had a 62-39 lead entering the fourth period.

Douglas hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth period and later a pair of free throws that gave Indiana its largest lead at 75-44.

It was the lowest point total for the Sun franchise since Aug 1, 2003, when they scored 45 points in a 48-45 loss to Washington. Connecticut’s seven-point output in the fourth was a franchise record low.

Monarchs top Silver Stars

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—Although many of the familiar faces are gone from the roster, the Sacramento Monarchs still played with their trademark tough defensive style Saturday night in winning their season-opener at home.

Adrian Williams-Strong and Nicole Powell each scored 13 points and the Monarchs held off the San Antonio Silver Stars for a 73-64 victory.

Despite a revamped starting lineup and bench, the Monarchs dominated the opening stages of the first quarter and led most of the way against the Silver Stars, who defeated Sacramento in the opening round of the playoffs last year.

The Monarchs played without DeMya Walker, who was injured in preseason and released by the team on Friday. Also gone from the Monarchs’ once-formidable front court is Yolanda Griffith, who signed as a free agent with Seattle in the offseason.

But 10 Monarchs played significant minutes, including three rookies and two players who saw limited action a year ago.

“That was impressive the way our rookies came in and played,” said Powell, who didn’t start the game and joined the team late this week after finishing her season in Russia. “Our rookies are very mature, they have no fear. They aren’t intimidated by anyone.”

Rebekkah Brunson and rookie Laura Harper each scored 10 points for the Monarchs, who won despite 23 turnovers. Kara Lawson had nine points and Ticha Penicheiro had six points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Harper, the team’s top draft choice out of Maryland, admitted to some early jitters, but still produced well in 21 minutes. A post player, she made 3 of 5 shots, hit all four free throws and added five rebounds and two blocks.

“The veterans on this team have instilled a lot of confidence in the rookies,” Harper said. “They’ve been telling us you can’t be nervous and have helped us be more composed. This was a fun, an exciting win. It’s great to know I will be coming in and getting some minutes right away, which doesn’t happen to all rookies.”

Sophia Young scored 22 points for San Antonio, which missed 16 of 19 3-point attempts and shot 32 percent. Becky Hammon and Erin Buescher each scored 11 points and Vickie Johnson added eight.

Hammon, who shot 4 of 19 and had one assist, wasn’t ready to give too much credit to the new-look Monarchs.

“We know they are a good defensive team that is scrappy, but I thought we had a lot of good looks, open shots that we just didn’t make,” Hammon said. “We made a lot of mistakes, things that really hurt us.”

Trailing 65-53 early in the fourth, the Silver Stars scored seven straight to cut the lead to five points midway through the quarter. Bothered by Sacramento’s constant defensive pressure, San Antonio scored just four points the rest of the fourth quarter.

“We started missing shots again, and they were able to run. It’s a lot easier to run when you’re getting a rebound on a missed shot, rather than a basket,” Hammon said. “We let the game get away from us at the end.”

Brunson scored nine points in the opening half and nine of the 10 Monarchs who played also scored, helping Sacramento take a 41-35 lead into halftime.

“They (San Antonio) are hard to get a rhythm against, but I thought we showed great perseverance and resilience and got a lot of good minutes from a lot of good people and we found a way,” Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek said

Shooting 31 percent in the opening half, the Silver Stars were fortunate they didn’t trail by more. Hammon typified San Antonio’s shooting woes in the first half, missing 7 of 9 shots and scoring five points.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the game for people listening on the radio or watching the locally televised broadcast was listening to Ron Artest. The controversial Sacramento Kings player did three quarters of the game as a color radio commentator and spent the second quarter in front of the TV cameras.

San Antonio was playing without projected starting center Ann Wauters, who is having passport problems and is expected to join the team next week.

Also, Silver Stars guard Helen Darling also missed all eight shots and scored three points.

Storm beat Sky 67-61

SEATTLE (AP)—Lauren Jackson scored 14 points and Sue Bird added 13 points and seven assists and the Seattle Storm beat the Chicago Sky 67-61 in the teams’ season opener on Saturday night.

The Storm (1-0) overcame cold shooting in the first half and went on a 23-1 scoring run—including 12-0 to end the third quarter—to pull ahead.

“In the second half, we just got into the flow and showed some pretty great things,” said Jackson, who had just two points at halftime on 1-for-10 shooting. “When our defense breaks down, it generally takes a toll on our offense. If we get it right defensively, good things will come.”

The Storm, playing their first game under a new ownership group and new coach Brian Agler, featured a significantly revamped lineup that includes reigning league MVP Jackson and past MVPs Sheryl Swoopes and Yolanda Griffith.

Swoopes finished with eight points, four rebounds and two assists. Griffith had eight points and seven rebounds.

The Storm struggled to score in the first half. Seattle shot 29.4 percent (10-for-34) during the first 20 minutes and trailed 35-29 at halftime.

The third-year Sky, who were looking for their first regular-season victory against the Storm in five tries, extended the lead to 38-29 early in the third quarter as Seattle missed its first seven shots after halftime.

Agler called a timeout just 59 seconds into the third.

“I just said, ‘We have to start playing with some poise around the basket. We’re missing a lot of easy shots,”’ Agler said. “And we had to have some consecutive stops on defense.”

The Storm hit 13 of their last 18 shots in the third quarter to get back into the game. They tied it at 47-47 on Jackson’s turnaround 10-footer, and went in front for good when Swoopes stole the ball and hit Bird for a fast-break lay-in.

Seattle extended the lead to 17 points during the fourth when Jackson hit a short shot and the ensuing free throw to cap the 23-1 run.

“We were a little tentative during the first half, not because of a lack of energy, but because you’re in a new system with a lot of new players,” Bird said. “But every day, the more we play together, whether it’s in practice or in games, it’ll come.”

Chicago was led by Chasity Melvin, who came off the bench for 15 points. Jia Perkins added 12. Candice Dupree had seven points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the Sky, who were kept without a field goal for nearly 11 minutes—from 2:47 left in the third quarter to 1:44 left in the game.

The Sky out-rebounded Seattle, 40-34.

Swoopes, formerly of Houston, and Griffith, from Sacramento, signed during the offseason as free agents. Swin Cash, another league All-Star acquired from Detroit in an offseason trade, also had 13 points for Seattle.

Whitmore leads Sun to win over Dream

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP)—Tamika Whitmore had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 100-67 victory over the expansion Atlanta Dream on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

Asjha Jones added 18 points, Barbara Turner 15 and Lindsay Whalen 11 for the Sun, who scored 100 points in regulation for the second time in franchise history

Betty Lennox led Atlanta with 17 points, Stacey Lovelace had 11 and Katie Feenstra 10.

The Sun led 51-34 at halftime and didn’t let the Dream get closer than 14 points in the second half.

Atlanta led 17-12 before Connecticut used a 26-6 run to take over early in the game.

The Sun added nine new players in the offseason, following their first-round playoff exit last season. Whitmore made her debut with the Sun after being traded from Indiana in the offseason for All-Star Katie Douglas.

Shock open WNBA season with victory over Comets

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—Alexis Hornbuckle won a national championship in her last game. On Saturday, she moved to the pro level without missing a beat.

In her WNBA debut, the Tennessee star had eight points and a franchise-record seven steals to help the Detroit Shock beat the Houston Comets 85-66 in the season opener.

“I knew I had to be ready to play, and I just wanted to give us some energy and defense,” Hornbuckle said. “I was over-thinking things early on, but I settled down.”

Hornbuckle helped the Lady Volunteers defend their NCAA title last month. She had a game-winning jumper in the semifinals, so her teammates weren’t surprised by her performance.

Katie Smith scored 21 points and Plenette Pierson added 17 to lead the Shock, who have played in the WNBA finals in three of the last five seasons.

“She was great, but coming from Tennessee, we knew she was used to playing at a high level,” Smith said.

Hornbuckle got extra playing time because Deanna Nolan was limited to 17 minutes by a sore ankle. Nolan got hurt while playing in Russia, and spent most of the second half on the bench.

“I thought it was extraordinary that she was able to get on the floor at all,” said Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer. “She couldn’t get it loose after the half, so we had to sit her.”

Laimbeer chose to start Elaine Powell at point guard and move Smith to Swin Cash’s vacated small-forward spot.

“I like Plenette in that role, and I thought E.P. did a great job,” he said. “We might stay with that group, but it depends on Nolan’s ankle and the matchups.”

Tina Thompson led Houston with 17 points, and Mwadi Mabika and Matee Ajavon added 12 each.

“Detroit’s a good team—they’ve been to the finals, and they’ve won several times, so you have to come out and play them hard,” Thompson said. “We didn’t do that.”

The Shock took control with a 20-1 run that stretched between the third and fourth quarters.

“We looked a little confused with some of our defensive assignments in the first half, but I thought we really settled down in the third quarter,” Laimbeer said. “We got some steals and we didn’t give them any second shots.”

The Comets finished with 23 turnovers, leading to 25 Detroit points, and allowed 20 offensive rebounds.

“Detroit did a great job defensively, and they played a very physical game,” Houston coach Karleen Thompson said. “But we need to work on our chemistry as a team. It’s basically just effort—that was a big thing tonight.”

Parker leads Sparks to 99-94 victory over Mercury

PHOENIX (AP)—Candace Parker had some jitters in her WNBA debut. It sure didn’t show.

Parker scored 34 points, the most in a WNBA debut, and added 12 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Sparks beat the defending champion Phoenix Mercury 99-94 on Saturday.

The previous high in a WNBA debut was 25 points by Cynthia Cooper in 1997.

“It obviously was better than I expected,” said the 6-foot-4 Parker, who led Tennessee to back-to-back national titles. “Coming out, I just wanted to play hard. I was a little nervous, and I think my teammates did a good job of just keeping me in it mentally and just not allowing me to get frustrated.”

The game was tied at 79 early in the fourth quarter when Parker took over. She scored 10 straight points to give the Sparks an 89-86 lead with 3:15 to play.

Parker, who made 6-of-7 shots in the final quarter, hit a short hook shot to put the Sparks up 97-94 with 12 seconds to go.

“She’s the money player,” Los Angeles coach Michael Cooper said. “Put the ball in her hands and she did what she’s supposed to do.”

Parker wore a brace on her left shoulder, which she dislocated during the NCAA tournament. It didn’t slow her one bit.

Parker came within two assists of becoming the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double. Only one NBA player did it in his debut—Oscar Robertson, in 1960.

“Honestly, it was just finding the mismatch,” Parker said. “My teammates did a great job of just getting me the ball and just moving afterwards.”

Lisa Leslie, who missed last season on maternity leave, had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Sparks.

Cappie Pondexter, fighting off jet lag, scored 32 points for Phoenix but missed a potential tying 3-pointer with 4 seconds to go.

Pondexter arrived in Phoenix late Friday night after a long flight from Turkey, where she played during the WNBA offseason.

“She’s what you call a trooper,” Phoenix coach Corey Gaines said. “She had 32. I can’t wait until she gets a little sleep.”

Before the game, the Mercury celebrated their 2007 WNBA championship with a ring ceremony and the unveiling of US Airways Center’s lone basketball title banner.

Mercury star Diana Taurasi told the crowd of 13,749 that the Mercury aim to make it two in a row this season. But this is a different team.

Former coach Paul Westhead left after the season to join the Seattle SuperSonics’ staff, although he returned for the ring ceremony. And star forward Penny Taylor is back in her native Australia preparing for the Beijing Olympics.

With Phoenix-area resident Muhammad Ali watching from a baseline seat, the fired-up Mercury broke out to a 15-7 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Sparks answered with a 10-0 run capped by a pair of 3-pointers by Sidney Spencer, who hit 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the opening quarter.

Taurasi missed her first six shots, showing the effects of a stomach virus she contracted after returning from Russia this week. She was scoreless until she made a 3-pointer late in the first half. Taurasi finished with 24 points.

2008 Complete Draft Board

The Los Angeles Sparks won the 2008 WNBA Draft Lottery and have the first overall pick.

2008 WNBA DRAFT, ROUND 1

PICtK	TEAM	RECORD
1	Los Angeles Sparks - Candace Parker	10-24
2	Chicago Sky - Sylvia Fowles	14-20
3	Minnesota Lynx - Candice Wiggins	10-24
4	Detroit (from Atlanta via Seattle) Alexis Hornbuckle	24-10
5	Houston Comets - Matee Ajavon	13-21
6	Washington Mystics - Crystal Langhorne	16-18
7	New York Liberty - Essence Carson	16-18
8	Atlanta Dream - Tamera Young	NA
9	Connecticut Sun - Amber Holt	18-16
10	Sacramento Monarchs - Laura Harper	19-15
11	Detroit Shock (from SA) - Tasha Humphrey	24-10
12	Connecticut Sun (from Indiana) - Ketia Swanier	18-16
13	Phoenix Mercury - LaToya Pringle	23-11
14	New York Liberty (from Detroit) - Erlana Larkins	16-18

2008 WNBA DRAFT, ROUND 2

PICK	TEAM	RECORD
15	Los Angeles Sparks - Shannon Bobbitt	10-24
16	Minnesota Lynx - Nicky Anosike	10-24
17	Houston Comets - Erica White	13-21
18	Detroit Shock (from Atlanta) - Olayinka Sanni	24-10
19	Chicago Sky - Quianna Chaney	14-20
20	Washington Mystics - Lindsey Pluimer	16-18
21	San Antonio (from New York) - Chioma Nnamaka	20-14
22	Seattle Storm - Allie Quigley	17-17
23	Connecticut Sun - Jolene Anderson	18-16
24	Atlanta Dream (from Indiana) - Morenike Atunrase	NA
25	Phoenix (from San Antonio) - Leilani Mitchell	23-11
26	Indiana Fever - Khadijah Whittington	21-13
27	New York Liberty (from Phoenix) - Wanisha Smith	16-18
28	Detroit Shock - Natasha Lacy	24-10

2008 WNBA DRAFT, ROUND 3

PICK	TEAM	RECORD
29	Los Angeles Sparks - Sharnee’ Zoll	10-24
30	Minnesota Lynx - Charde Houston	10-24
31	Houston Comets - Crystal Kelly	13-21
32	Atlanta Dream - Danielle Hood	NA
33	Chicago Sky - Angela Tisdale	14-20
34	Washington Mystics - Krystal Vaughn	16-18
35	New York Liberty - Alberta Auguste	16-18
36	Seattle Storm - Kimberly Beck	17-17
37	Connecticut Sun - Lauren Ervin	18-16
38	Sacramento Monarchs - A’Quonesia Franklin	19-15
39	San Antonio Silver Stars - Alex Anderson	20-14
40	Sacramento (from Indiana) - Izabela Piekarska	19-15
41	Phoenix Mercury - Marscilla Packer	23-11
42	Detroit Shock - Valeriya Berezhynska	24-10
43*	Sacramento Monarchs - Charel Allen	19-15

* Sacramento has been granted an additional third round pick at the end of the round

Extending the College Experience in the WNBA

PALM HARBOR, Fla., April 9, 2008 -- Winning the 2008 national championship on Tuesday night was bittersweet for Tennessee’s departing players. On one hand, the Lady Vols’ fab five was able to help the team complete its back-to-back bid in impressive fashion by defeating Stanford in the NCAA title game. But the ensuing celebration also signaled their final moment to share as teammates before going their separate ways in their basketball careers.

Well, not entirely.

On Wednesday, at the 2008 WNBA Draft in Tampa, as expected all-world talent Candace Parker was selected No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks. Fourteen picks later, when it was the Sparks’ turn again, Michael Cooper and Co. went for another Tennessee player, drafting guard Shannon Bobbitt at No. 15.

As Sparks fans know, the UT presence doesn’t stop there. Parker and Bobbitt will be added to a roster that already features Sidney Spencer and Tye’sha Fluker.

“Being able to play with people that I know and I’m comfortable with is great,” said Parker. “I’m really excited about having familiar faces so I don’t feel like I’m going into this alone.”

Spencer, a draftee of the Sparks from last year and member of the Vols’ 2007 title team, was in the house Wednesday, chatting live and providing analysis for WNBA.com during the draft. Suffice it to say, the ’07 All-Rookie performer was ecstatic with each selection of her former court mates by L.A., and quick to cite the advantages.

“It’s kind of like a dream come true,” said Spencer. “It’s an impossible situation that did happen. I want to make the most of it. It’s great that I don’t have to learn their tendencies because I already played with them. I know where they want the ball and I know what their strengths are. So we’re already a few steps ahead when the new rookies go into camp.”

Parker’s teammate connections weren’t done though. They continued when the Sparks’ third and final pick of the draft – No. 29 overall -- was unveiled to be Sharnee’ Zoll from Virginia. Parker revealed that she and Zoll have played alongside each other in a couple stops along the way, including for USA Basketball.

As for Parker and Bobbitt’s teammates, they too had the good fortune of hearing their names called on draft day, although it wasn’t by L.A. Alexis Hornbuckle went to the Detroit Shock at No. 4 overall, Nicky Anosike followed Bobbitt at No. 16 when Minnesota drafted her and Alberta Auguste was selected by New York in the third round.

Carrying the positive vibes that come with being drafted, Anosike saw no reason to be disappointed about being sent to a different destination from her Tennessee teammates.

“I’ve gotten to play with a lot of those players already and it’ll be fun to try and see what else is out there,” said Anosike.

Hornbuckle agreed and added that she’s actually looking forward to playing against them. Above all else, the Tennessee players seemed excited that all five players had something to cheer about on draft day because after repeating as NCAA champions they all deserved some recognition.

“It speaks volumes for our team and the program that Coach (Pat) Summitt has built,” said Hornbuckle. “We go against each other every day in practice, and it’s great to see all five seniors do well in the draft and be able to go somewhere and pursue a career.”

But Tennessee wasn’t the only powerhouse from the 2007-08 college season to have multiple players selected in Wednesday’s star-studded draft. And like Tennessee, LSU saw two of its players get drafted by the same team.

LSU center Sylvia Fowles, whose Tigers were upended in the national semis by the Vols, was selected right behind Parker at No. 2 by the Chicago Sky. With their next pick, the Sky snatched up guard Quianna Chaney.

When Chaney’s name was announced, Fowles got more than just a teammate going with her to the Windy City.

“It’s going to be a thrill,” said Fowles about being able to play with Chaney at the next level. “I enjoyed our college years. We have been real close. She has been my roommate for four years. It will make the overall transition a little easier for the both of us.”

Chaney was equally eager to have the chance to continue to play with Fowles in a new locale.

“I can’t find a word for that besides excited,” said Chaney. “I get to play with the beast again. It’s just a great honor.

“She’s come with me this far and now she’ll have my back again in Chicago.”

Seeing players from the same schools on the same WNBA rosters is nothing new. In fact, with the selection of Ketia Swanier in the first round, the Connecticut Sun now have four former UConn players on their roster, and five if you include Nykesha Sales, who will be sitting out this year.

But to remain with the players that were there besides you for most, if not all, of your college battles and celebrate on the same day has to be something special.

All-Star Sue Bird re-signs with Seattle Storm

SEATTLE (AP)—Sue Bird, a five-time All-Star, signed a multiyear contract Friday to remain with the Seattle Storm.

Bird will join league MVP Lauren Jackson and newly signed stars Sheryl Swoopes and Swin Cash on the Storm. Since winning the WNBA title in 2004, Seattle has lost in the first round of the playoffs the last three seasons.

“Seattle is home for me, and I am very excited to be back,” the 27-year-old Bird said. “I can’t wait to get back to Seattle to make another run at a championship.”

Anne Donovan, coach of the national Olympic team, resigned as coach and personnel director in late November after five seasons. After talk of moving the franchise, a group of season-ticket holders bought the Storm in January.

“When I heard the Storm was going to stay in Seattle under local ownership, I knew I wanted to come back,” said Bird, whose 5.6 assists per game ranks second in WNBA history.

“With re-signing Sue, and the addition of Swin Cash and Sheryl Swoopes to the incredibly talented players we already have, I couldn’t be more pleased with how our roster has come together,” said new coach Brian Agler, who is also the director of personnel.

Liberty, Moore reach three-year deal

NEW YORK (TICKER) —The New York Liberty on Tuesday agreed to a three-year contract extension with guard Loree Moore.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Moore averaged a career-best 9.6 points and 34-plus minutes last season, starting 33 games.

She led the team in scoring eight times and ranked second in the league with 2.2 steals per game. Moore was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second-Team for the first time in her professional career.

Lynx sign Gaurd Ashley Awkward

MINNEAPOLIS (TICKER) —The Minnesota Lynx

signed guard Ashley Awkward on Friday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Awkward averaged 12.9 points and 1.9 steals in her final campaign at Mississippi last season while carrying the Rebels to an Elite Eight appearance.

Currently, Awkward is playing for the Christchurch Sirens of the WNBL in Australia where she posted an average of 6.7 points in 23 games this season.

Minnesota, which will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary in the WNBA, is set to open its 2008 campaign against the Detroit Shock on May 18.

EuroLeague's Women All-Star Game

Despite lacking the international star power of the "Rest of the World" team, Team Europe took advantage of hot shooting from long distance as they rolled 111-86 in Thursday's EuroLeague Women's All-Star Game in Moscow. Spaniard Amaya Valdemoro posted a game-high 25 points to take home the game's MVP honors.

Newly naturalized Russian citizen Becky Hammon added 17 points for the European side, while former WNBA star Maria Stepanova had 16 points and 14 rebounds.

WNBA.com blogger Cappie Pondexter led the Rest of the World with 24 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 18 in support.

But it was the Europeans' accuracy from beyond the arc that spurred their first-half advantage. The Euros went 14-27 (51.8 percent) overall from three-point range, including Valdemoro's 5-9 mark. They also hit 21-24 free throws, an 87.5 percent clip.

We're also expecting to touch base shortly with Cappie Pondexter, who promised a new blog from the All-Star event in Russia. We'll provide a link when her new blog goes live.

Detroit Shock Re-signs Ford, Nolan, and Smith

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—The Detroit Shock re-signed key players Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith on Monday.

Coach Bill Laimbeer said retaining the three All-Stars and the earlier re-signing of Plenette Pierson make the Shock “a formidable contender for the championship.” Detroit, which won titles in 2003 and 2006, lost last year’s WNBA finals to the Phoenix Mercury.

Ford was the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2003 and won All-WNBA honors in 2003 and 2006. Nolan joined the Shock in 2001 season and is a three-time All-WNBA player. Smith is a four-time All-WNBA honoree and two-time Olympic gold medalist who joined the Shock late in the 2005 season.