Dydek’s Record-Setting Effort Does Trick for Starzz

Margo Dydek had a league-record 10 blocks and her first triple-double as the Utah Starzz defeated the Orlando Miracle, 82-79, on Thursday night at Salt Lake City.

Dydek’s record-setting 10th block came with 17.4 seconds left and the Starzz protecting an 80-75 lead. She batted Nykesha Sales’ three-point shot into the third row.

Dydek broke her record of nine blocks set Aug. 6, 1998, in a 79-69 loss to Cleveland.

Dydek added 12 points, making all eight of her free throws, and 11 rebounds.

Korie Hlede added 20 points, Jennifer Azzi scored 16 and Natalie Williams had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 19 points, Jessie Hicks had 16 and Sales had 14 points for the Miracle.

Houston 87, Detroit 66--Janeth Arcain scored 27 points at Houston as the Comets extended their winning streak to four.

Arcain shot 12 for 20 from the field and finished with six steals, five assists and three rebounds.

Tina Thompson had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Nekeshia Henderson added 11 points for Houston (4-1).

Elena Tornikidou scored 14 points for Detroit (0-3). Wendy Palmer finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Cleveland 67, New York 49--Merlakia Jones scored 10 consecutive points to stop the Liberty’s second-half rally at New York as the Rockers prevailed.

Jones and Chasity Melvin each had 13 points for Cleveland (2-2). Mery Andrade added 10 points.

Tari Phillips led New York (1-3) with 16 points. Vickie Johnson, who came in averaging 17, scored only eight on one-for-11 shooting.

Liberty center Rebecca Lobo, who missed the past two years because of a serious knee injury, scored her first points since 1998 in the first half on a jump shot from the top of the key.

Miami 70, Seattle 57--Sandy Brondello scored 23 points at Seattle and the Sol limited Lauren Jackson to one basket in the second half en route to its third consecutive victory.

Sheri Sam added 15 points for Miami (3-0).

Jackson, the top pick in this year’s draft, scored 16 points, but had only four in the second half. Katy Steding scored 12 points for the Storm (2-2).

Sacramento 77, Charlotte 65--Yolanda Griffith had 30 points and 18 rebounds as the Monarchs rallied to defeat the Sting at Sacramento.

Allison Feaster scored 23 points for Charlotte (0-3), who lost its third in a row. Andrea Stinson added 17 points and Dawn Staley had nine assists.

Ruthie Bolton-Holifield scored six of her 15 points in a late 8-2 run that helped secure the victory for Sacramento (3-1), which rallied from a 10-point first-half deficit.

Earlier, it was learned Sting rookie center Angie Ball will miss seven to nine weeks after dislocating her left knee during practice.