Cooper Quits in Phoenix
Hours after Cynthia Cooper resigned as Phoenix’s coach, Lisa Harrison had a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mercury (7-4) past the Seattle Storm, 62-53, Wednesday night before 7,836 at Phoenix. Linda Sharp became interim coach.
Cooper was 19-23 in less than 1 1/2 years in her head coaching debut. “I decided that the best thing for me, my family and the organization as a whole was for me to step down,†Cooper said in a statement.
Cooper, who had twins delivered by a surrogate mother June 15, was hired in January 2001 to replace Cheryl Miller.
The Storm is 6-7.
Charlotte 80, Detroit 73--Andrea Stinson scored 22 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., to help the Sting (6-5) send the Shock (0-12) on the longest losing streak in league history before 4,012.
Detroit surpassed an 11-game slide by Washington in 1998.
Portland 64, Orlando 57--Ukari Figgs tied a season-high with 16 points as the Fire (5-8) defeated the Miracle (7-4) before 6,339 at Portland, Ore. Nykesha Sales was held to three points as Orlando lost on the road for the first time in five games.
