Detroit Shock Weekly Update
August 30, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Detroit Shock News Release
SHOCK FALL TO STING IN "DISTURBING" FASHION
Disturbing was the adjective that Bill Laimbeer used to describe the Shock's 49-56 loss to the last-place Charlotte Sting on Tuesday, August 23. It was the second loss to the WNBA's worst team this month, both since former NBA star Muggsy Bogues took over as head coach of the Sting. "It was apparent we weren't coming to play hard," Laimbeer said, "This is one of the worst games we've ever played." The Shock shot only 29 percent and Cheryl Ford and Swin Cash were a combined 1 for 13 from the floor. Charlotte played without top scorer Tangela Smith, but was still able to go on a 13-1 run midway through the second half.
DEFENSIVE EFFORT BRINGS SHOCK CLOSER TO PLAYOFFS
The Shock won their franchise-record seventh game in a row at the Palace on Thursday, August 25, beating the Indiana Fever, 55-40. Cheryl Ford recorded her 12th double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Ruth Riley also contributed 12 points and six rebounds. The Fever's 40 points set a franchise mark for fewest point allowed in a game. The Fever were held to just three points in the final 12:05 of the game. The next evening, the Washington Mystics lost to Connecticut, 81-47, securing playoff berth for the Shock.
STARTERS REST IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE
With the fourth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot secured, Bill Laimbeer kept his starters on the bench for most of Saturday's 67-76 loss to the Washington Mystics in the nation's capital. Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, and Ruth Riley didn't play, while starting guard Katie Smith played just seven minutes. Plenette Pierson led the Shock with 20 points and Kara Braxton added 15 points. Barbara Farris had 10 points and 10 rebounds. "I didn't want to get somebody hurt in a meaningless game," Laimbeer said, "We have a good bench and they played hard." Even though the Shock finished the season with the same regular season record as the Shock, (16-18), the Shock hold the tiebreaker because of a better conference record.
SHOCK READY TO "DRIVE THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS"
The Shock open the 2005 playoffs Wednesday, August 31 at 8:00 p.m. at the Palace against the Connecticut Sun. The Sun finished the regular season with the best overall record at 26-8. However, three of Connecticut's losses came against the Shock, twice in Detroit and once at Mohegan Sun Arena. Games 2 and 3 of the best-of three series are scheduled to take place in Connecticut. To help ease the pain at the pump, the Shock are offering tickets for the average price of gas in Michigan for Wednesday's game.
LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION/TIME FINAL SCORE LEADING SCORER
Tuesday, August 23 Charlotte Sting Charlotte Coliseum; 7:00 PM 49-56 Nolan, 14
Thursday, August 25 Indiana Fever The Palace; 7:30 PM 55-40 Ford, 14
Saturday, August 27 Washington Mystics MCI Center, 6:00 PM 67-76 Pierson, 20
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