Shock win 1st game in over a month; Pierson injures knee

The Tulsa Shock picked up their first win since July 10 on Saturday night after beating the New York Liberty 81-76 at Madison Square Garden.

Shocks' guard Odyssey Sims lead the team with 27 points and 7 assists followed by forward Riquna Williams, who scored 15 points.

"Riquna Williams can shoot the three from the outside, explosive player, but there is no secret about our guards," Tulsa's Head Coach, Fred Williams said. "It's always been push the ball, attack the basket, and create plays."

The Shock started their scoring off with a 10-point run and never looked back.  Their shooting percentage from the field was 47.3%, and they maintained their lead throughout the game, even having an 11-point lead going into halftime.

New York lacked consistency, and they seemed tired with little rest after a win last night against the Sun.  The team struggled with only having two players who scored over 10 points, one being their leading scorer, Brittany Boyd with 22 points.

"We weren't in sync, and we were missing open shots that we normally make," Boyd said. "Not locking in on defense was part of it as well."

The Liberty did not score their first point of the second half until guard Tina Charles made a jumper over two minutes in.

New York picked up their offense in the fourth quarter, scoring 25 points, but it was not enough. This loss ends the teams' 5-game winning at home.

This win allows Tulsa to snap a 10-game losing streak and moves them to 2-0 on the season against New York, who is currently the top team in the Eastern Conference.

"Now we are about to start a winning streak," Sims said about her team's win tonight. "It starts here, and we are going to build each day and get back, and prepare ourselves on Tuesday."

Even though the Shock got the victory, they may have something to worry about after starting forward, Plenette Pierson, who had 8 points in the game, left in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury.

Tulsa will play again Tuesday when they travel back home to take on the Phoenix Mercury.  As for the Liberty, their next game is Wednesday against the San Antonio Stars.