Shock defeat Storm for fourth straight win

The Tulsa Shock may not want to play away from the BOK Center for the rest of the season.

A four-game home stand turned into a four-game winning streak, culminated with a hard-fought 85-79 victory over the Seattle Storm on Sunday.

Tulsa (4-5) used a 18-5 run late in the fourth to overcome a seven-point deficit and hold on for the win.

Skylar Diggins had a career-high 26 points to lead the way for her team. She has scored 20 or more points in each game during the streak.

Diggins scored 12 of the team’s final 22 points.

“My teammates are really putting a lot confidence in me in showing that they want the ball in my hands in crunch time,” Diggins said.  “And I’m just trying to take advantage of it and score and be aggressive and create opportunities for my teammates and myself.”

Courtney Paris came up big again for the Shock, recording her fifth double-double of the season.  She put in 16 points to go with 12 rebounds.

Paris said her team benefited through the rough start to the season.

“We’re a tough team,” Paris said.  “We had some adversity in the beginning, but it was good adversity because we learned from it. Now we’re winning those games we weren’t winning in the beginning.”

Tulsa lost five straight to open the season before going on the team’s current win streak.

Glory Johnson also logged a double-double with 12 points and 13 boards.

Paris and Johnson each hauled in six offensive rebounds to give the Shock more scoring opportunities.

Shock coach Fred Williams talked about the importance of winning at your own place.

“It’s time to secure that home court advantage,” Williams said.  “Every team tries to that in this league. If you can secure those close games at home, it puts you in a good seat for the end of the season.”

After four at home, the Shock now embark on a four-game road swing.  Tulsa will start the trip with back-to-back games at Los Angeles and then Phoenix on Thursday night and Friday night.