Thompson Leads Comets

Tina Thompson scored 20 points and Janeth Arcain had 10 of her 14 points in the second half to help the Houston Comets win their third straight with a 61-53 victory over the New York Liberty on Saturday at Houston in front of 11,019.

The Liberty rallied in the second half, going on a 13-2 run to tie the score at 39 with 9 minutes 46 seconds remaining.

But Houston (12-8) regrouped and went on a 10-3 run to take a 49-42 lead with 3:43 remaining. New York (9-11) never threatened again.

Houston has won seven of its last eight.

Tari Phillips had 16 rebounds for New York, which has lost three straight on the road.

*

Sacramento 76, Seattle 63 -- DeMya Walker tied a career high with 21 points to help the Monarchs win at Sacramento in front of 7,411 for their fifth win in six games. Lauren Jackson, the WNBA’s second-leading scorer, led Seattle with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

*

Cleveland 89, Washington 78 -- Penny Taylor scored a season-high 22 points and Betty Lennox had 21 to help the Rockers (11-11) win at Cleveland in front of 5,173. Chamique Holdsclaw had 16 points and six rebounds for Washington (5-17).

*

Minnesota 70, Indiana 65 -- Katie Smith scored 21 points for the Lynx at Indianapolis in front of 9,191. The Lynx defense held the Fever to two field goals during the final nine minutes.

*

Connecticut 74, Charlotte 70 -- Nykesha Sales scored 18 of her 23 points in the second half for the Sun, in front of 5,731 in its only game at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Conn.

*

The San Antonio Silver Stars fired coach Candi Harvey, a day after the team lost its sixth straight and fell to 6-16. Assistant Shelly Dailey replaced Harvey as coach.