TULSA, Okla. (AP) Odyssey Sims has already helped the Shock achieve a record season. Now the rookie will try and get the franchise its first playoff appearance since moving to Tulsa.
Sims scored 22 points and Tulsa routed San Antonio 79-62 on Friday night to give the Shock a 12th win - the most since the team moved from Detroit in 2010. The Shock sit one game behind the Stars for the final playoff spot with three games to play. San Antonio holds the tiebreaker between the teams winning three of the five meetings.
''We're pushing for the playoffs but we're taking it one game at a time,'' said Glory Johnson, who added 14 points and 12 rebounds. ''It's been a tough push but it is three steps now (with road games at Seattle, Atlanta and Minnesota). We have to forget about what's happened in the past.''
Johnson tied Cheryl Ford's franchise record with her 17th double-double this season.
''It's huge tying her record,'' Johnson said. ''I don't want to be considered only a player who can score. It's huge to contribute and help my team in more than one way.''
Sims scored 13 of her points in the second half before leaving the game with 1:49 left after landing on her left shoulder at midcourt. After lying on the floor for about 15 seconds, Sims made her way to feet using her right arm for balance. She raced over to the bench and was taken to the locker room. She wasn't available postgame.
Courtney Paris had 11 points and 11 rebounds for her 12th double-double this season. She said that said winning the final regular season home game was a tribute to Tulsa fans.
''It's the story of our season,'' Paris said. ''We don't give up. We keep battling. We will continue to fight these last few games. It's a lot of fun.''
Sims showed off her athleticism in the first half when she bounced the ball hard over the head of defender Danielle Robinson and collected the ball for a layup.
''She's so crafty with the ball,'' said Skylar Diggins, who socred 14 points. ''She's a great finisher. She has a great body to be able to take the contact. She's also light on her feet. She's just a fun to watch.''
Tulsa entered intermission with just 14 rebounds, compared to 22 for San Antonio. With rebounding a focus, the Shock narrowed that gap to 34-33 by game's end.
''We talked at half about stepping up, getting the loose balls and getting some rebounds,'' Tulsa head coach Fred Williams said. ''We let some easy shots get away in the first half. We wanted to get the ball inside in the second half. We also got some run-outs that led to some easy baskets.''
San Antonio (13-18) had three players in double figures led by Becky Hammon with 16.
''Give Tulsa credit, I thought they did a great job we didn't get our legs into it off the back to back,'' Stars coach Dan Hughes said. ''For the first half we did what we wanted but Tulsa is really athletic with the ball with Diggins and Sims.
