Oct 3, 2008 - 10:31 PM
0 shoutsBy PA SportsTicker
DETROIT 69, SAN ANTONIO 61 --------------------------
SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- It will be a happy trip back to Ypsilanti, Michigan for Katie Smith and the Detroit Shock.
Smith had 22 points and six assists as the Shock took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA Finals with a 69-61 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Deanna Nolan and Kara Braxton scored 12 points apiece for Detroit, which became the first team to win both Games One and Two on the road since the league expanded the Finals to its current best-of-five format in 2005.
Game Three is on Sunday in Ypsilanti.
The Shock's conquests away from home will give them a chance to claim their third championship on their home floor, albeit in unfamiliar territory.
With "Disney on Ice" currently residing at the Palace of Auburn Hills and the Detroit Red Wings using nearby Joe Louis Arena, the Shock have been relegated to playing at the Convocation Center, the home of Eastern Michigan University - approximately 40 miles outside the Motor City.
Detroit left little doubt in Friday's game, taking a 25-12 lead into the second quarter. It was a complete performance by the Shock, who shot 51 percent (28-of-55) from the field and outrebounded the Silver Stars, 35-28.
Becky Hammon scored 24 points for San Antonio, which has put forth a disappointing performance in its first trip to the championship series. The Silver Stars had the best season in franchise history, which included a league-best 24-10 regular-season record and a 14-0 mark against Eastern Conference opponents.
