|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Working overtime Rockers edge Miracle 74-72 in extra session
Posted: Wednesday July 12, 2000 11:44 PM
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Merlakia Jones hit a running 12-foot jumper with .6 seconds remaining in overtime Wednesday night to give the Cleveland Rockers a 74-72 victory over the Orlando Miracle. Jones, named to the WNBA All-Star Game earlier in the day, got the ball at the top of the key with nine seconds to play. She dribbled right and then left, before sending a high-arcing shot over Taj McWilliams for the winner. Shannon Johnson missed a long shot for Orlando at the buzzer. Cleveland (11-8) won its third straight and pulled within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Miracle (13-7) in the Eastern Conference. It was the Rockers' second overtime win at home over Orlando this season. Cleveland won 83-79 on June 7. McWilliams led Orlando with 22 points, and Nykesha Sales scored all 20 of her points in the second half. Mery Andrade had 17 points and Jones added 16 for the Rockers, who led 30-23 at halftime. Chasity Melvin scored six points of her 12 points in overtime for Cleveland before fouling out with 14.7 seconds left and the Rockers ahead 72-70. McWilliams made two free throws to tie the score. Cleveland got the ball, called time, and set up the game-winning play. The Miracle started the second half with an 18-10 run to take a 41-40 lead. The lead changed 10 times the rest of the way in the intensely played game. Orlando's strong zone defense kept Cleveland from getting the ball inside but allowed the Rockers clear shots from the perimeter. Cleveland made a team-record 11 of 19 shots from 3-point range. However, Orlando held a 21-9 advantage on free-throw scoring. McWilliams scored 11 of Orlando's first 13 points, including the first nine.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
