Star-Driven Comets Keep Title

It was only fitting that Sheryl Swoopes scored the final points and Cynthia Cooper got the final rebound.

Swoopes scored 31 points and Cooper had 25 in her final game as they rallied Houston to a 79-73 overtime victory over New York for its fourth consecutive WNBA championship.

Swoopes, the league’s leading scorer, and three-time scoring champion Cooper combined for 32 of the Comets’ final 36 points as Houston swept the best-of-three series, 2-0.

“When everyone counted us out, we hung in there and showed character, perseverance,” Cooper said. “We could have let down today and said we’ve got a game tomorrow. But we came out and played tough every single minute.”

Cooper, the finals’ most valuable player for the fourth consecutive year, hit a three-pointer with 21 seconds to play that tied it, 64-64, and forced overtime.

Cooper announced last month that this would be her final season, but she didn’t want to talk about her retirement.

“You know, right now I’m savoring the moment,” she said. “I’ve had some great years with the Comets, great years in the WNBA. Right now, I’m concentrating on the four championships we won.”

Tina Thompson had 11 points and eight rebounds, and her two free throws with 27.6 seconds left in overtime gave the Comets a 75-70 lead.

“I’m just glad I don’t have to go to church tomorrow tied, 1-1, and convince the Lord that I’m one of his boys,” Comet Coach Van Chancellor said. “Was that a basketball game? This one was the sweetest of the four.”

Swoopes hit two free throws with 11 seconds left in the overtime. After Sue Wicks missed the Liberty’s final shot, Cooper rebounded and held the ball until time ran out.

Then, the celebration started, leaving the Liberty in a familiar position.

“This is three times that we’ve had to listen to their crowd ranting and raving,” Wicks said. “We have tremendous heart and Houston has heart. It came down to the fact they just have so much talent. You have to respect Houston.

“They deserve all of their championships.”

The Liberty, which has lost in the finals to the Comets in three of the WNBA’s four seasons, overcame a nine-point deficit with 13:25 left to force overtime.

Tari Phillips led the Liberty by scoring 17 of her 20 points in the second half, including a basket with 31 seconds left in regulation for a 64-61 lead.

Tamika Whitmore added 15 points and Crystal Robinson had 13. New York’s final lead came with 2:15 left in overtime.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of this basketball team than I am of mine tonight,” Liberty Coach Richie Adubato said. “We fought back tremendously and matched them basket for basket. It would have been great to play here tomorrow, but they made the big shots.”

The Comets overcame New York’s 19-6 run for a 27-25 halftime lead. Houston went ahead, 44-35, but Phillips helped the Liberty take a 49-48 lead.

Houston lost only two regular-season home games this season and has won 11 of the franchise’s 12 playoff games at Compaq Center.