Detroit takes Game 1 of WNBA Finals

Posted September 05, 2007 11:00 pm

Associated Press

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Plenette Pierson and Kara Braxton combined for 45 points and 22 rebounds to lead the defending champion Detroit Shock to a 108-100 win Wednesday night over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

Detroit took the lead in the best-of-five series despite the absence of all-star Cheryl Ford, who sat out with a knee injury. It was the highest-scoring game in the history of the Finals.

Four other players scored in double figures for the Shock, which was able to push around the Mercury, which swept their previous two best-of-three playoff series.

Detroit outrebounded Phoenix 48-30 and scored often on putbacks and other high-percentage shots. The Shock's bench outscored Phoenix's 50-12.

Penny Taylor scored 32 points and Cappie Pondexter had 27 to lead the Mercury, who struggled when all-star Diana Taurasi missed significant stretches of the game with foul trouble.

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