Comets’ Home Winning Streak Ends

Brandy Reed scored a career-high 32 points as the Phoenix Mercury beat Houston, 80-62, on Saturday before 12,385 at Houston, ending the three-time defending WNBA champion Comets’ record regular-season home winning streak at 13 games.

Reed, the first player to score more than 30 points against the Comets, was 13 of 18 from the field. Tonya Edwards had 16 points, and Michelle Griffith 11 for the Mercury.

Sheryl Swoopes led the Comets with 31 points, two shy of her career high. Tina Thompson added 13 points and nine rebounds for Houston.

Houston’s Cynthia Cooper was held to six points, ending her streak of double-figure scoring at 92.

Orlando 88, Indiana 82--Shannon Johnson scored 16 points, including Orlando’s last seven points on free throws, as the Miracle overcame a 15-point deficit to win before 12,575 at Indianapolis.

Cleveland 72, Washington 49--Chasity Melvin scored 19 points on powerful play inside to lead the Rockers before 10,032 at Cleveland.

Melvin scored seven consecutive points during an 11-0 run that gave Cleveland a 53-35 lead.

New York 87, Utah 76--Teresa Weatherspoon keyed a 14-2 first-half run that put the Liberty in front to stay before 17,531 at New York.

Detroit 77, Sacramento 74--Detroit rookie Edwina Brown scored three of her nine points in the final minute to help the Shock open the season with a victory before 9,835 at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Miami 74, Charlotte 63--Marlies Askamp scored seven of her 19 points in overtime to lead the expansion Sol to a win before 6,632 at Charlotte, N.C.

Portland 65, Seattle 58--Tara Williams scored all 10 of her points in the final eight minutes and Sylvia Crawley made the decisive basket with 33 seconds left before 10,182 at Seattle as the expansion Fire picked up their first WNBA victory.