McWilliams-Franklin solid for Shock in return to Washington

Sep 7, 2008 - 6:16 AM By PA SportsTicker

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 21 points and Deanna Nolan added 17 and 10 rebounds as the Detroit Shock routed the Washington Mystics, 84-69, on Saturday night.

Katie Smith and Plenette Pierson each scored 13 points for the Shock, who outscored the Mystics, 28-11, in the final period to secure the win.

A former member of the Mystics, McWilliams-Franklin made a stellar return to Washington, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and hitting all five of her free throws.

Monique Currie scored 15 points for Washington, which shot just 39 percent (26-of-66).

In other games Saturday:

LOS ANGELES 84, HOUSTON 66: At Houston, DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 16 points as the Sparks, who currently hold down third place in the Western Conference, clinched a playoff berth with an easy win over the Comets.

Tina Thompson scored 18 points for Houston, which committed 18 turnovers.

SEATTLE 96, MINNESOTA 88: At Seattle, Sue Bird scored 23 points as the Storm set a franchise record for wins by outscoring the Lynx by 19 points in the second half.

Bird's performance lifted Seattle (21-10) to a one-half game lead over the San Antonio Silver Stars (20-10) for the top spot in the Western Conference standings.