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Pierson helps Shock top Monarchs in Finals rematch

May 19, 2007 - 10:41 PM AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- Plenette Pierson and the Detroit Shock started the 2007 season the same way they ended the last.

Pierson scored 22 points off the bench as the Shock posted a 75-68 season-opening victory over the Sacramento Monarchs in a rematch of last year's WNBA Finals.

Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith added 12 points apiece for Detroit, which rallied from a 2-1 deficit last year to capture the franchise's second championship in five games.

Pierson, a key reserve during Detroit's title run last year, scored 14 points in the first half as the Shock grabbed a 42-35 lead at the half.

That advantage ballooned to 59-45 on two free throws by Katie Feenstra with 1:39 remaining in the third quarter. Feenstra, who was acquired from San Antonio in a trade for starting center Ruth Riley in the offseason, finished with seven points and six rebounds.

The Monarchs, however, did close within 69-66 on a layup by DeMya Walker with 2:02 remaining before the Shock closed the contest by scoring six of the last eight points.

Nolan, the MVP of last year's WNBA Finals, grabbed seven rebounds and handed out four assists.

Chelsea Newton and Kara Lawson scored 14 points for Sacramento, which was pounded on the boards by a 36-22 margin.