In control from start, Cleveland tops Detroit

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 29, 2000

CLEVELAND -- Vicki Hall scored 15 of her career-high 19 points in the first half as the Rockers beat the Detroit Shock 80-60 Friday night.

Hall scored seven straight during one stretch in the opening half, sinking a three-pointer from 22 feet to put the Rockers ahead to stay at 13-10. She quickly added a 15-foot jumper and a running hook shot.

Rookie Ann Wauters, the first overall pick, had season highs of 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. The 19-year-old center from Belgium was 6-for-6 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.

Hall entered when starting forward Mery Andrade sustained a contusion of the right shin 24 seconds into the game. Andrade returned with 13:06 remaining in the game.

Cleveland broke a two-game losing streak and moved within one game of first-place New York in the Eastern Conference. The Liberty will play host to the Rockers tonight.

Detroit fell into a tie with the Washington Mystics for fourth place in the East.

Cleveland shot 50 percent from the field as the Rockers' starting guards shot a combined 10-for-22. Merlakia Jones shot 6-for-15 with 13 points, and Suzie McConnell Serio was 4-for-7 for 10 points.

NEW YORK 66, CHARLOTTE 56: Tari Phillips and Vickie Johnson scored 15 apiece for the visiting Liberty.

The Eastern Conference-leading Liberty won its third straight and ninth in 10 games.

Phillips grabbed 11 rebounds, and Johnson had 10 for a double-double. Tamika Whitmore had 13 points for New York.

Charlotte Smith led the Sting with a career-high 17 points. Andrea Stinson was held to 13 points on 6-of-15 shooting.

New York's starting frontcourt outscored Charlotte's 43-9 and outrebounded them 22-7.

EX-'CANE JOINS UTAH: Former University of Miami standout Kym Hope was added to the Utah roster after spending part of the 1999 season on the injured list of the Orlando Miracle. Hope was the final cut from the Miracle training camp roster this year before being picked up by the Starzz.

NBA

CAVALIERS: A former University of Utah teammate of Andre Miller has sued the Cleveland rookie, contending Miller caused a car crash that damaged his football career. Brandon Jessie filed the lawsuit in Salt Lake City. Named in the suit are Miller, Miller's mother and another person involved in the collision. Jessie seeks unspecified damages, including his medical expenses and "loss of wages and earning capacity."

SIXERS: A retired math teacher pleaded guilty to sending an e-mail threatening star Alan Iverson and his 5-year-old daughter. The lawyer for 54-year-old teacher Jay Charles says his client has an explanation that he will disclose at sentencing in Easton, Pa.

SPURS: Convinced he and David Robinson can lead their team to another NBA championship, Tim Duncan, 24, reportedly plans to sign a three-year contract for the maximum salary as soon as next week, the San Antonio Express-News reported. In taking a three-year contract, Duncan's strategy is to set up a much bigger contract when he will have six years of NBA experience.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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