Top > Sport > 2005 > September > 2005-09-04

WNBA playoffs continue

Seattle finished the regular season at 20-14, second in the Western Conference, 5 games behind Sacramento. Houston wound up third at 19-15. The best-of-3 set is tied, 1-1. All-time, Houston has a 15-8 series lead against the Storm, with Seattle having a 6-5 edge in the Key. The teams split four regular-season games this year, each winning twice at home. In this playoff series, each team has picked up its victory on the road.

Whenever the Storm pulled away, the Comets pulled back into the game on Thursday night -- and finally pulled out a 67-64 victory. The Storm had three chances to take the lead or tie the game in the final 30 seconds, but Betty Lennox`s short shot wouldn`t fall, nor would a couple of last-gasp 3-point tries. Lennox led the Storm with 16 points, and Lauren Jackson, playing through back pain, had 14 points and seven rebounds. Sheryl Swoopes led Houston with 20 points. She had just six of those during the first half, and didn`t even get her first shot off until six minutes had elapsed.

Storm fans donated more than $18,000 to a relief fund set up by center Janell Burse at Thursday`s game. Donations will be collected again, and the Storm will donate $5 from each $35 ticket to the fund.