Swoopes Is Double-Trouble for Utah in Houston’s Win

Sheryl Swoopes had her first double-double of the season and the Houston Comets scored 26 points off 17 Utah turnovers in a 107-85 victory Monday night at Houston.

Swoopes had 28 points and a season-high 10 rebounds for the Comets, who at 7-1 have the best record in the WNBA.

She made 10 of 17 shots, including three for four from three-point range, and had five steals for the three-time defending league champions, who defeated Utah, 73-71, Saturday.

“I think we wanted to make a statement . . . to our fans, especially since the last game [was only a two-point win],” Swoopes said. “I think we had better team defense. Our approach was different.”

Cynthia Cooper added 24 points and six assists. Tina Thompson had 17 points. Adrienne Goodson led the Starzz (3-4) with 24 points. Natalie Williams was held to four points on one-for-eight shooting.

The Comets announced that they will retire the No. 10 jersey of the late Kim Perrot, the point guard who died of cancer last year. The ceremony will be on July 29 during halftime of a game against the Sparks at Compaq Center.

Cleveland 83, Indiana 70--Merlakia Jones had 15 points to lead the Rockers at Indianapolis.

Chasity Melvin added 14 points and eight rebounds for Cleveland (5-1), which extended its winning streak to five games.

Kara Wolters scored 17 points and Stephanie McCarty had 14 for Indiana (2-4), which lost its third consecutive game. Indiana used an 18-4 run early in the first half to go ahead, 18-10, but Cleveland went on a 20-6 tear en route to its 38-34 halftime lead.

Charlotte 78, Detroit 67--Rhonda Mapp had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Andrea Stinson added 21 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., for the Sting, which recorded its first victory.

Two three-point shots by little-used Anna DeForge keyed an 8-2 run that got Detroit (2-3) within 61-58 with 4:21 left, but Charlotte’s Dawn Staley answered with a three-pointer. Then Wendy Palmer’s two free throws and consecutive layups by Mapp and Stinson pushed the Sting lead to 68-60 with 2:26 left. The Sting had started 0-5 this season, including 0-4 at home.