Shock 78, Sky 65

CHICAGO (AP) _ Deanna Nolan scored 18 points, reserve Plenette Pierson added 16 and the Detroit Shock beat Chicago 78-65 on Thursday night. <br/><br/>Detroit (14-5) improved its all-time record against

Friday, July 13th 2007, 7:39 am

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) _ Deanna Nolan scored 18 points, reserve Plenette Pierson added 16 and the Detroit Shock beat Chicago 78-65 on Thursday night.

Detroit (14-5) improved its all-time record against the Sky to 6-0.

Chicago (8-12) lost its third straight despite 17 points from reserve guard Jia Perkins.

``It was good to get a win going into the (All-Star) break, especially being on the road,'' said Nolan, who had eight rebounds as the Shock snapped their two-game road losing streak.

Detroit overcame poor shooting in the first quarter to open a commanding 62-50 lead by the close of the third. Chicago got no closer than 11 points during the final 10 minutes.

The defending WNBA champs shot just 30 percent from the field (6-of-20) in the opening period while Chicago built a 20-15 lead. But the Shock shot 78 percent (11-of-14) in the second quarter as Nolan collected nine points on the way to a 40-37 halftime lead.

It was the second straight game Chicago squandered a fast start.

``I don't know if it was a loss of energy or what,'' said Sky forward Candace DuPree, who scored 16 points. ``It seems like we haven't been on track since the season started. We have two wins at home. I don't know why we struggle at home.''

Detroit outscored Chicago 12-5 in the final 4 minutes, 45 seconds of the third to extend its lead to double digits.

Also scoring in double figures for the Shock were guard Katie Smith and forwards Cheryl Ford and Swin Cash with 11 apiece. Ford joins Nolan and teammate Kara Braxton as Eastern Conference starters in Sunday's WNBA All-Star game in Washington.

Detroit beat Chicago 92-84 Tuesday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.