TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Sheryl Swoopes' right shoulder and left knee were wrapped in bags of ice after the game. However, the smile on her face said it all.

Swoopes scored 22 points to help the Tulsa beat the Connecticut Sun 83-72 Sunday for the Shock's second straight win following a record 20-game losing streak.

Advertisement

``Everyone who played contributed to this win, everyone,' said Swoopes, who hit the winning jumper in final seconds of a 77-75 victory at Los Angeles on Friday night. ``To get a home win for our crowd was great. They have supported us throughout the losing streak.'

Ivory Latta had 19 points, Tiffany Jackson added 16 points and 12 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season, and Amber Holt scored 10 poitns as the Shock (3-25) won consecutive games for just the second time since moving to Tulsa before last season.

Tulsa, which trailed 48-33 early in the third quafter, closed the period with a 21-9 run to tie the score at 59-all. The Shock then outscored the Sun 24-13 in the fourth to pull away for their second home win this year.

``Even though we can't make the playoffs, we feel like we can impact other teams getting to the playoffs,' Jackson said. ``Once you get that first one, it's mental, you think you can win them all.'

The Shock last won consecutive games on May 29 and June 4 last year.

Tina Charles had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Connecticut (18-11), which began the day second in the Eastern Conference - 1 1/2 games up on third-place New York. Renee Montgomery added 12 points.

Charles, the reigning rookie of the year, didn't score after Shock interim coach Teresa Edwards inserted Abi Olajuwon into the lineup in the third quarter.

``I focused on pushing her out as far as possible from the basket,' said Olajuwon, who had four points. ``I knew if I boxed her out, it would allow my teammates to get the rebound. I focused on my defense and let my shot come to me.'

Edwards received a game ball for the second consecutive time.

``The first one was sweet and all but I think this one is even better because it came in front of our fans,' she said. ``We're starting to turn the corner. Our confidence is up and we're not going to base our team on what anybody else (opponent) is thinking. We'll do our best.'