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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Nykesha Sales scored 19 points to help the Orlando Miracle keep their playoff hopes alive with a 71-58 victory over the Detroit Shock on Sunday. Sales scored six consecutive points early in the second half, highlighting an 11-0 run and giving Orlando a 41-36 lead with about 16 minutes to play. The Miracle (15-16) extended the lead to 12 with seven minutes to play. The Shock (9-22) never threatened the rest of the way. Elaine Powell, traded from Orlando to Detroit for Wendy Palmer last month, led her new team with 15 points. Sting 71, Liberty 58 NEW YORK (AP) Allison Feaster scored 18 points as Charlotte beat New York to stay in the hunt for the Eastern Conference's second playoff spot. The Liberty have already clinched the East, and Charlotte has clinched a postseason berth. Crystal Robinson scored 10 of her 16 points in the first half for the Liberty (18-13). Tari Phillips added 11 points. Andrea Stinson added 14 points for Charlotte (17-14) and Dawn Staley had 11. Sparks 69, Lynx 58 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Mwadi Mabika had 16 points as Los Angeles beat Minnesota. The Sparks (24-7) went on a 23-4 run late in the second half. Katie Smith and Georgia Schweitzer each had 13 points for Minnesota (10-21), which clinched the worst team mark in its four-year history. Minnesota is 1-24 against Los Angeles and Houston, and 51-51 against the rest of the WNBA. Lynx forward Svetlana Abrosimova sat out for the second consecutive game because of a lower back strain. She is doubtful for the season finale at Houston on Tuesday. Mystics 60, Rockers 54 CLEVELAND (AP) Chamique Holdsclaw had 18 points and 17 rebounds to lead Washington (17-14) to just its second victory in 10 games. The Mystics play Charlotte on Tuesday to close the regular season. The winner will earn the Eastern Conference's second seed and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Ann Wauters scored 12 points for Cleveland (10-21), which lost its fifth straight. Cleveland's Merlakia Jones became the 13th WNBA player to score 2,000 career points when she hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. Fever 77, Sol 63 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Tamika Catchings scored 20 points as Indiana moved within one victory of its first-ever playoff berth. The Fever (15-16) would make the playoffs for the first time in their three-year history by winning at Cleveland on Tuesday. Sheri Sam scored 20 points for the Sol (14-17), who finish their season Tuesday at home against Detroit. Seattle 74, Utah 57 SEATTLE (AP) Lauren Jackson matched her career-high with 27 points as Seattle clinched its first playoff berth. The Storm (17-14), the fourth-seeded team in the Western Conference, will play either Los Angeles or Houston in the first round of the playoffs. Seattle's Amanda Lassiter scored a season-high 14 points. Sue Bird was held scoreless, but dished out eight assists. Jennifer Azzi and Marie Ferdinand led the Starzz (19-12) with 10 points each. Utah will be the second seed in the West playoffs. MORE The Associated Press News Service Copyright 2002 The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. |
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