Swoopes Leads the Way as Comets Rout Liberty
Cynthia Cooper became the first player in WNBA history to reach the 2,000-point mark and Sheryl Swoopes scored 27 points Monday as the three-time champion Houston Comets defeated the New York Liberty, 84-68, in the season opener.
In a tearful pregame ceremony, the Comets raised their third consecutive WNBA championship banner inscribed “No. 3 for No. 10” in honor of Comet point guard Kim Perrot, who died of cancer last Aug. 19.
Cooper entered the game with 1,987 points. A three-point basket with 13:25 to play put her over 2,000 for her career. She finished with 19, putting her at 2,006.
Swoopes got the Comets started in the first half, and the defending champions led, 40-33, at halftime. They built a 66-50 lead with 10:28 to play before the Liberty made its final charge with a 10-0 run, cutting the margin to 66-60 with 7:44 remaining.
But the Comets recovered before a sellout crowd of 16,285.
Swoopes also had three blocked shots and six rebounds.
Tamika Whitmore led the Liberty with 15 points, while Sue Wicks scored 14.
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