Mystics Fall Behind Early in Loss

Shock 79, Mystics 66

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 11 Katie Smith scored 23 points and Cheryl Ford added 14 in the Detroit Shock's 79-66 victory over the Washington Mystics on Friday night.

Smith went 7 for 9 on three-pointers to help the Shock (14-6) take a one-game lead over Connecticut in the WNBA's Eastern Conference.

"They play a lot of zone, and that means I'm going to get some good looks," said Smith, who tied a franchise record with seven three-pointers. "Tonight I was able to knock them down."

Rookie Tasha Humphrey added 12 points for the Shock, and Plenette Pierson followed with 10.

"Hanging on to a lead all night isn't exactly our M.O.," Shock Coach Bill Laimbeer said. "I'd like to start doing this as often as possible."

Coco Miller had 15 points in a reserve role to lead Washington (7-12). Monique Curry was the only starter to reach double figures with 13 points.

"I think we played hard in spurts, but we need to come out and play hard the entire 40 minutes," Miller said.

Detroit scored the game's first nine points and led by 18 early in the second quarter, but Washington got back in the game in the third.

The Mystics got as close as 46-38 midway through the period, but missed three chances to narrow the gap further. Smith then hit a three-pointer to move Detroit's margin to 11, and the Shock pulled away to improve to 9-0 at home.

"When we have 20 turnovers, we have no chance of winning," Washington Coach Tree Rollins said. "We had unforced turnovers, and we didn't get good looks at the basket, and that bit us hard."

· SILVER STARS 82, DREAM 74: Becky Hammon scored 26 points, Sophia Young had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and host San Antonio (15-6) rallied past Atlanta (2-18). Vickie Johnson had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Silver Stars.