Perkins Powers Sky to First Win

Jia Perkins made three free throws with one second left Saturday, lifting the expansion Chicago Sky to an 83-82 victory over the Charlotte Sting in the season opener for both teams at Charlotte, N.C.

Perkins’ free throws spoiled a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback by the Sting, which had scored 18 consecutive points in the game’s last three minutes, erasing a 16-point deficit and taking an 82-80 lead on LaToya Bond’s three-point basket with 3.5 seconds left.

After a timeout, the Sky inbounded the ball to Perkins, who put up a 23-foot shot from the right wing. The shot fell far short, but a foul was called on Bond.

That left it up to Perkins, who made six of her seven free throws but missed nine of her 10 shots from the field.

Sheri Sam led Charlotte with 17 points.

Connecticut 91, New York 74 -- Nykesha Sales scored 19 points and matched a career high with 10 rebounds at Uncasville, Conn., to lead the Sun to its first season-opening win since it moved from Orlando to Connecticut four years ago.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin had 16 points and eight rebounds, and reserve forward Asjha Jones finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Sun never trailed and led by as many as 23 points. Becky Hammon led New York with 20 points and four assists.

Indiana 67, Detroit 60 -- Tamika Catchings had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Ebony Hoffman had 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds to lead the Fever at Indianapolis.

The Fever used an 11-0 run in the final three minutes to overtake the Shock.

Indiana shot 18.8% (six for 32) in the first half and 26% for the game but overcame a 10-point second-half deficit.

Sacramento 105, Phoenix 78 -- Erin Buescher scored a career-high 18 points to lead the defending champion Monarchs over the Mercury at Sacramento.

Nicole Powell and Yolanda Griffith each scored 14 points for the Monarchs, who never trailed after a dominating second quarter that included a 20-0 run.

Bothered by a quadriceps injury, Diana Taurasi played 26 minutes and scored 14 points for the Mercury, which is playing its first season in a high-flying style under Coach Paul Westhead.