Last season the Houston Comets were dismissed from the WNBA Playoffs in the first round at the hands of the Utah Starzz. Now the Starzz have moved into the Comets' own backyard, right here in San Antonio.
On five days rest, the San Antonio Silver Stars came out of the gates strong and didn't look back, posting a 76-69 victory over Houston in front of 11, 791 fans at the SBC Center on Friday night.
Comets star Sheryl Swoopes, suffering from an ankle sprain, was listed as doubtful before the game but tallied 12 points in 29 minutes off the bench.
"This is a big game and there's no way Sheryl Swoopes is not going to play. And we are glad she did," said Silver Stars head coach Candi Harvey. "We want to play them at their best."
The Silver Stars had all five starters in double-figures for the first time this season, led by Marie Ferdinand's 20 points.
"It's just chemistry. We are really starting to develop a feel for each other and I think it showed in the balanced scoring tonight," said Harvey.
Silver Stars center Margo Dydek had perhaps her best game of the year with 17 points (6-for-10 from the field), 12 rebounds and five blocks, while dominating the post. Dydek hit a jumper with 8:09 left in the contest as San Antonio took its biggest lead at 61-46.
The Comets rallied several times throughout the game, tying the score on three occasions, but the Silver Stars refused to relinquish their lead. San Antonio (4-6) has won back-to-back games after struggling in the early stages of the year.
"It feels good. We work hard in practice," said rookie Gwen Jackson. "Finally our offensive flow is coming together. We are starting to click, that's easy to see."
"We have a great deal of depth on this team. We have a bunch of players that can score," commented Ferdinand. "Whenever we get the kind of production we got today, it's hard to beat us."
Houston center Michelle Snow blocked eight shots, a franchise record, but fouled out late in the second half with 11 points. San Antonio shot 18-for-21 from the free-throw line and committed only 11 turnovers -- two of their early season weaknesses.
Jackson had 11 points and nine rebounds (six offensive) for San Antonio. Jennifer Azzi (13 points) and Adrienne Goodson (12 points) were also in double-figures for the Silver Stars. The team shot 6-for-10 from beyond the arc.
The Comets were led by Tina Thompson (17 points) and Janeth Arcain (16 points).
