Comets Rally to Beat Rockers

Sheryl Swoopes scored a game-high 28 points Thursday as the Houston Comets rallied from a 13-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Rockers, 71-65, before a crowd of 11,407 at Cleveland.

The Comets trailed, 50-37, in the second half before turning the game around with a 28-8 run.

The Comets took their first lead with 7:30 to play.

Cynthia Cooper blocked the shot of Cleveland’s Merlakia Jones, then sprinted down court to take a lead pass from Swoopes for a layup. That put Houston ahead, 57-56, and the Comets never trailed again.

Sacramento 70, Washington 54--Yolanda Griffith led the Monarchs with 19 points and nine rebounds in front of 7,909 at Sacramento.

Phoenix 79, Minnesota 46--Jennifer Gillom scored 22 points and at the Lynx tied the WNBA’s season-low point total before 12,120 at Phoenix.

New York 73, Orlando 65--Crystal Robinson made a key three-point shot and Kym Hampton made four free throws late in overtime for the Liberty before 11,384 at Orlando.

Around the WNBA

The Utah Starzz traded forward Wendy Palmer and center Olympia Scott-Richardson to the Detroit Shock for forward Cindy Brown and guard Korie Hlede.