Jackson Helps Seattle Hold Off Houston, 67-63

Lauren Jackson scored 26 points and blocked two shots in the final 10 seconds to lead the Seattle Storm to a 67-63 home win over the Houston Comets on Saturday night.

With Seattle holding a 64-63 lead, Jackson blocked Michelle Snow’s layup attempt with 10 seconds left. After Sheri Sam’s free throw put Seattle ahead, 65-63, Jackson got a piece of Sheryl Swoopes’ jump shot with less than five seconds left.

Kamila Vodichkova added two free throws for Seattle to secure the win in front of 8,107.

Playing with a sore back, Jackson added nine rebounds and finished with five blocks for the Storm (15-7), which won its fifth consecutive game and moved within one game of the first-place Sparks in the Western Conference.

Houston (10-14) lost its sixth straight road game. Swoopes had 23 points and Tina Thompson 13.

New York 78, Detroit 69 -- Elena Baranova had 16 of her 21 points in the second half of the Liberty’s debut at Radio City Music Hall, attended by 5,945.

New York is playing six home games at Radio City because of next month’s Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden.

Becky Hammon had 17 points and Vickie Johnson added 16 points and eight rebounds to help New York (12-11) win its third straight and fifth in last seven.

Swin Cash had 21 points to lead Detroit (11-13).

Phoenix 71, Indiana 56 -- Anna DeForge had 21 points and seven rebounds at Phoenix, which beat Indiana in front of 8,966 despite missing Diana Taurasi in the second half because of a bruised right thigh.

Taurasi, who ranks fourth in the league in scoring with an 18.1-point average, was injured in the first half and did not return. She finished with eight points, five assists and two rebounds in 18 minutes.

Tamika Catchings had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Fever (12-12), which lost its third straight.

Gwen Jackson scored 12 points in a reserve role for Phoenix (11-12).

Charlotte 70, Washington 41 -- Olympian Dawn Staley scored 19 points in her last home game before heading to Athens, helping the Sting end a four-game losing streak in front of 9,552.

The Mystics absorbed their most lopsided loss of the season without leading scorer Chamique Holdsclaw. Holdsclaw did not travel with the team because of personal reasons, according to a team spokesman.

Alana Beard had 19 points for the Mystics (10-13), who have lost four of five.

Nicole Powell added 14 points for the Sting (11-11).

Connecticut 69, San Antonio 55 -- Nykesha Sales scored a season-high 26 points to lead the Sun (13-12) at home in front of 7,233 fans.

Sales was 10 for 15 and made four three-pointers. Katie Douglas added 14 points.

Shannon Johnson scored 15 points for San Antonio (6-17).