Sting Is Stifled by the Rockers

The exasperated look on Charlotte guard Dawn Staley’s face said it all. So did the ice packs on her knees.

The Cleveland Rockers used the best defense in WNBA history to block, bump and bruise their way past the Sting, 69-51, on Saturday, forcing a deciding Game 3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Rockers, who held opponents to a league-record 55.9 points per game during the regular season, scored 24 points off turnovers and limited the Sting to 38% shooting from the field (18 of 47).

“The defensive level was all you could want,” said Rocker Coach Dan Hughes, named WNBA coach of the year before the game.

Charlotte had won a franchise-record eight consecutive games.

The Rockers put the game out of reach early with a 21-9 run over the final seven minutes of the first half.

“We had a passion on defense and a fire to get the ball,” said forward Penny Taylor, who had five steals. “That is the way we played to win earlier this season and we got it back.”

Cleveland had limped into the playoffs, losing three straight.

Game 3 will be Monday in Cleveland, where the Rockers are 14-2 this season. Charlotte dealt Cleveland one of those home losses, 55-53 a week ago.