Shock center Kara Braxton returned to action on Sunday.
(Photo: Mike Rosenbaum)
The Detroit Shock ended their four-game losing streak and gave Rick Mahorn his first victory as the Shock’s head coach in an 86-72 victory over visiting Sacramento on Sunday. The Shock players gave Mahorn the game ball following the win.
It was, literally, a big win for the Shock. Not only did it stop their losing streak, but it was keyed by the effort of their post players, Cheryl Ford and Kara Braxton. Ford played her fourth game of the season and has steadily improved since her return, following off-season knee surgery, while Braxton made her 2009 debut following a six-game suspension. Ford contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots in 31:03 of action. Braxton scored eight points on 4-for-5 shooting and added four rebounds and a block in 13:30. The pair helped Detroit out-rebound the Monarchs – the WNBA’s top-rebounding team – 32-26. The Shock scored 36 points in the paint against only eight for Sacramento.
The Shock took a quick 9-2 lead and never trailed again. Alexis Hornbuckle – who suffered a mild concussion two days earlier, returned and scored two baskets during the initial Shock run. The Shock led 24-17 after one period. Kristin Haynie scored all eight of her points in the second quarter and made a franchise record four steals in the period as the Shock took a 47-28 lead into halftime.
The Shock led by as many as 20 in the third quarter, but Scholanda Robinson’s seven points helped the Monarchs pull within 66-52 entering the final period. With Robinson scoring Sacramento’s first six points of the fourth quarter the Monarchs cut the lead to 66-60 with 7:24 remaining. Shavonte Zellous and Deanna Nolan then answered with jumpers, and the Shock never led by less than eight points again.
Zellous continued her strong play off the bench and led Detroit with 18 points, including 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Nolan scored 14 and Horbuckle 10.
Rebekka Brunson and 16 points and Robinson 15 for the Monarchs. Read the complete box score.
The Shock improved to 2-5 while the Monarchs fell to 1-7. Detroit returns to action Thursday at New York.
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