Shock Powers to WNBA Finals

The Detroit Shock took command from the opening tip Sunday night to rout the Connecticut Sun, 79-55, and advance to its second trip to the WNBA Finals.

The Shock, which won the title in 2003, will take on defending WNBA champion Sacramento in a best-of-five series beginning Wednesday.

“There was no adjustment except in the players’ attitude and how they approached the game,” Detroit Coach Bill Laimbeer said of the Shock’s rebound from a nine-point loss to Connecticut in Game 2 Saturday.

This time, Swin Cash and Katie Smith led the Shock with 16 points each, and reserve Kara Braxton added 12. Cash set the tone early, winning hustle plays and scoring on putbacks.

Braxton, a 6-foot-6 forward, had 10 points in the first half, nearly all in the paint. Her coach had challenged her after Game 2.

“I went after Kara in the locker room and said, ‘We need you to perform,’ ” Laimbeer said.

He told Cash the same thing.

“We just came in with a mind-set, and everyone was like, ‘Whatever it takes, win at all cost,’ ” Cash said. “We didn’t care who got the credit. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of.”

Taj McWilliams-Franklin led Connecticut with 12 points. The Sun’s Katie Douglas, again playing despite a hairline fracture in her right foot, had nine points.