Swoopes Lifts Houston, 61-56

Sheryl Swoopes scored 20 points and Tynesha Lewis had a career-high 12, and the Houston Comets defeated Phoenix, 61-56, Wednesday night at Houston in the Mercury’s season-opener.

Swoopes was eight for 16 from the field, though the Comets shot only 38%.

“Our shots are not falling right now. My shot is not falling right now, but I think we’re close to getting to where we want to be,” said Swoopes, who sat out last season because of a knee injury.

Swoopes led the Comets with five steals, including two in the final two minutes.

Lewis made two three-point baskets down the stretch for the Comets, who avoided losing two games to start a season for the first time in the franchise’s six-year history.

New York 84, Portland 62--Becky Hammon scored 22 points and Tari Phillips had 20 for the Liberty, which used a 20-5 run in the second half to put the game away at Portland, Ore.