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Sky-Shock Preview

Aug 21, 2010 - 4:58 AM By SAMANTHA PANITCH STATS Writer

Chicago (14-18) at Tulsa (5-28), 8:00 p.m. EDT

When the Tulsa Shock and Chicago Sky take the floor Saturday, they will both be closing out disappointing seasons.

The two teams, who will both end the year in last place in their respective divisions, will each try to end on a positive note at Tulsa.

The Shock (5-28) have had a dismal year in their first season since re-locating to Tulsa, noted by a 12-game losing streak that lasted more than a month.

They are coming off a 95-85 loss to the Liberty on Thursday.

Tulsa was winning at halftime, but was outscored 30-15 in the third quarter as New York shot 11 for 20 in the period. The Shock let the Liberty shoot 51 percent overall and 46 percent from 3-point range.

"We're not a very good shooting team," Tulsa coach Nolan Richardson said of his team, which has the second-worst field goal percentage in the league at 42.1 percent. "You look at them and they have people standing out there busting 3s from 30 feet out."

Shanna Crossley scored 21 points and Scholanda Robinson added 16 for the Shock, who have lost six straight and 25 of 27. Ivory Latta and Tiffany Jackson had 11 points each for Tulsa, and Marion Jones scored eight in 20 minutes.

Chicago (14-19) lost for the fifth time seven games Friday night, falling 78-71 to Connecticut.

Epiphanny Prince led the team with 19 points while Sylvia Fowles and Dominique Canty had 11 each for the Sky, who have yet to make it to the postseason since joining the league in 2006.

The Shock had trouble containing Fowles in the only meetings between these two teams this season. The center had 32 points - 19 in the first half - 13 rebounds, and four blocks to lead Chicago to a 95-70 victory June 5.

Tulsa had no answer for Fowles on either end of the floor, as she constantly disrupted the Shock's inside attack.

"She's a tremendous player," Richardson said of Fowles after the game. "Not very many people were able to stop her tonight. You can't guard her 1-on-1."

Crossley scored 20 points, Robinson had 15 and Plenette Pierson added 14 for the Shock.