WNBA Comets maintain their edge

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Sheryl Swoopes has a 9-0 record to back her theory that the Houston Comets and their four WNBA championship rings still have a mental edge over the young Detroit Shock.
Swoopes had 15 points and eight rebounds as Houston beat Detroit 66-56, the Comets' fourth straight victory overall and ninth in as many meetings with the Shock, who have the league's best record.
"I think there is still a little bit of intimidation there," she said. "And we also have more experience than Detroit. They have a lot of talent, but experience and talent can usually beat young talent."
Michelle Snow matched a career high with 19 points for Houston (18-9). "We played a tough game against Indiana last night and got on a plane at 6:30 this morning, so we are tired," Swoopes said. "That's why this was a good win -- I've lost count of how many games we've played lately, and we were still able to come out and beat the most improved team in the league."
Detroit (19-8), which has lost two straight and saw a six-game home winning streak snapped, leads Charlotte by four games atop the Eastern Conference.
"This was by far our worst effort of the year," Shock coach Bill Laimbeer said. "I don't understand that -- we just let this one get away."
Janeth Arcain added 12 points for Houston.
Swin Cash led Detroit with 11 points, and Cheryl Ford and Ruth Riley each scored 10.
Detroit trailed 31-26 at halftime and was still within five with 16 minutes to play. Houston then scored six straight points to take a 43-32 lead with 14:16 left.