WNBA Nolan's jumper downs Rockers



The Shock rallied for a 58-57 victory.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Deanna Nolan made a jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Detroit Shock a 58-57 victory over the Cleveland Rockers on Saturday night.
Trailing 57-56 with 7.6 seconds remaining, Shock coach Bill Laimbeer called a timeout to set up a play. Detroit got the ball to Nolan, who drove around a pick on the right wing and hit a 12-foot shot.
LaToya Thomas missed an off-balance, 3-point attempt for Cleveland as the final buzzer sounded.
Swin Cash had a team-high 14 points, and Cheryl Ford had 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Shock, who have won three straight and four of five.
Chasity Melvin, Merlakia Jones and Penny Taylor each scored 12 points for the Rockers, who have alternated losses and wins the last nine games.
Cash made the second of two free throws to give Detroit a 56-55 lead with 2:49 to play, but Deanna Jackson hit a 12-foot jumper to put Cleveland up 57-56 with 2:02 left.
On three consecutive possessions, Cleveland's defense forced a 30-second violation, another turnover on a bad pass, and got the ball yet again when Chasity Melvin blocked a layup attempt by 6-foot-5 center Ruth Riley.
Cleveland couldn't score, either, however. The Shock then called the play for Nolan, who finished with eight points.
Depleted rosters
Both teams were without key players for long stretches. Thomas, the first pick in this year's WNBA draft, left in the first half with abdominal cramps and did not return until the final two minutes. She scored two points in eight minutes.
Taylor missed the final 4:34 after being cut in her mouth during a collision with Cash, who was called for traveling.
Detroit center Riley, averaging 9.5 points a game, got into quick foul trouble and had only two points in 15 minutes.
Melvin had nine points and six rebounds in the first half to help Cleveland lead 32-29 at halftime.
Taylor scored six quick points to help the Rockers take a 21-14 lead. Holland-Corn then scored seven consecutive points to spark the Shock to a 10-2 run for a 24-23 lead.
The Shock made 14 of 21 free throws compared to just six of nine for Cleveland.