Sting Gets Defensive and Beats Cleveland

Reserve center Rhonda Mapp led all scorers with 14 points as the Charlotte Sting used a 28-14 run during the first 12 minutes of the second half to easily defeat cold-shooting Cleveland, 72-43, Saturday at Charlotte.

The Sting (4-5) remained unbeaten at home in four games at Charlotte Coliseum. The crowd was announced at 6,166 in the 24,042-seat arena.

Eva Nemcova, with 11 points, was the only player to reach double figures for the Rockers (3-6), who made only 17 of 63 attempts from the floor.

“I thought our defense did an excellent job tonight of putting a hand in their face,” Sting Coach Marynell Meadors said. “I really felt we put a lot of pressure on them on the perimeter. We didn’t let them have the shots they wanted to take.”

Houston 89, Sacramento 61--The Comets shot 57% from the field as they produced their best offensive performance of the season before 7,751 at Houston.

Tina Thompson scored a season-high 15 points and had 10 rebounds for her first double-double this season and Cynthia Cooper scored 20 points to lead the Comets (6-4).

Sacramento (4-5) guard Ruthie Bolton-Holifield scored 14 points, but left early in the second half when she suffered a hyperextended left knee.

Utah 52, Phoenix 51--Wendy Palmer made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left as the Starzz held off the Mercury before 7,076 at Salt Lake City, ending a four-game losing streak.

Palmer led Utah with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kim Williams added 13 points for Utah (3-7).

Toni Foster led Phoenix (5-3) with 14 points. Bridget Pettis had 13 and Michele Tims--playing all 40 minutes--finished with 12.