Nolan keys fourth-quarter rally to lift Shock

By AP

WASHINGTON – Deanna Nolan scored 23 points, including the basket that put Detroit ahead for good, and the Shock beat the Washington Mystics 81-77 Tuesday night.

Taj McWilliams had 17 points and 13 rebounds, rookie Shavonte Zellous added 16 points and the Shock (9-12) won for the third time in four games. Detroit's loss in that stretch was a four-point defeat last Friday at the Verizon Center.

Alana Beard scored 17 points to lead the Mystics (11-11), who dropped into a tie with Atlanta for third place in the Eastern Conference - one-half game behind Connecticut.

Nolan's 15-foot jumper from near the top of the key with 1:29 left gave Detroit a 72-70 lead.