It's a Sweep!

September 18, 2009


Shock sweeps
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Deanna Nolan scored 22 points and rookie Shavonte Zellous added 21 as the Detroit Shock beat the Atlanta Dream, 94-79, tonight in Duluth, Ga, winning the Eastern Conference semifinal series, 2-0.

The Shock, defending WNBA champions, advance to its four consecutive Eastern Conference finals, which begins Sept. 23.

Alexis Hornbuckle scored 15 points and Taj McWilliams scored 10. The Shock were without Katie Smith (back).

Former Shock player Ivory Latta led the Dream with 21 points. No. 1 draft pick Angel McCoughtry added 17 points.

Detroit will see either Indiana or Washington in the next round.

Erika DeSouza finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and a game-high eight turnovers for Atlanta.

Michelle Snow’s two free throws put Atlanta up 58-57 with 1:48 left in the third quarter. The Dream would not lead again as Detroit went on a 9-0 run, capped by Olayinka Sanni’s layup that made it 70-61 with just over 8 minutes remaining.

Detroit, which lost the regular season series against the Dream 3-1, increased its lead to 16 points in the fourth on Kara Braxton’s layup. The Shock shot 57.1% from the field, while holding Atlanta to 33.3%.

It was a good day for the Shock! Deanna was a game time decision to play and it was a good decision to let her play! She refused to allow the concusion from a hard foul in Wednesday's game, stop her tonight.She is showing everyone why she has been the eastern WNBA player of the week three weeks in a row. It was announced earlier today that Shavonte Zellous came in third place in the voting for the Sixth Woman this season. She also came in second in points for Rookie of the Year. She's doing a great job for her rookie year. As great as they play it seems Detroit is overlooked when it comes to awards, but its hard to ignore how well they are playing now. With Katie Smith out for the season Shavonte has stepped up and played great. Another great teamwork night on the court. Now we wait to see who we play. I think it will be Indiana which will result in a very physical finals. Get some rest ladies and prepare for the Conference Finals.

Good job ladies.

Here's hoping for a Four-peat.