WNBA Shock rolls to opening win, 73-63

Ruth Riley led Detroit in the series opener with Connecticut.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Ruth Riley was more than the Connecticut Sun could handle, even with Swin Cash and Deanna Nolan on the Detroit Shock's bench.
The 6-foot-5 Riley had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Shock to a 73-63 win Friday night over the Connecticut Sun in the first game of the best-of-three WNBA Eastern Conference finals.
"It was great to be able to be more aggressive offensively, especially when the team needs you," Riley said. "It's not too often you're going to see Deanna and Swin not out there on the court."
In the postseason, Cash had been averaging 19 points and Nolan 16. Nolan also was flagged for two quick fouls and was sidelined for a while, but not before she hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the first half.
Cash scored 10 of her 15 points in the second half. The Shock has won all five meetings this season.
Sales leads Sun
Nykesha Sales led Connecticut with 22 points, including the Sun's first eight in the second half.
Both teams are making their second postseason appearance and first in the conference finals.
"People said we were a young team and didn't have experience in the playoffs," Riley said. "I think this is a great boost for us."
Monarchs 77, Sparks 69
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Yolanda Griffith scored 17 points to lead the Sacramento Monarchs to a 77-69 win Friday night over the Los Angeles Sparks in the opening round of the WNBA's Western Conference finals.
The Monarchs squandered a sizable lead, briefly lost it in the second half, then played steady down the stretch to hold off the two-time defending champions.
The best-of-three series returns to Los Angeles, where Game 2 will be played Sunday followed by a third game Monday, if necessary.
Trailing 62-60 with 6:39 remaining, Ticha Penicheiro made a 3-pointer and followed with another basket, igniting a 7-0 run to give Sacramento the lead for good.