WNBA
Scores/Schedules Standings
Statistics
Rosters
  Friday, Aug. 11 7:00pm ET
Taj makes all, leads Miracle past Rockers
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Taj McWilliams had 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Orlando Miracle beat the Cleveland Rockers 62-55 Friday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.

Taj McWilliams
Taj McWilliams was 7-for-7 from the field and pulled down 10 rebounds.

McWilliams made all seven of her field goal attempts as the Miracle earned their first playoff victory in franchise history.

Orlando almost squandered an 11-point lead late in the second half as Cleveland put together a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 52-51 with 2:53 remaining.

However, McWilliams hit a jumper 17 seconds later, and the Rockers followed with a turnover that led to a basket by Nykesha Sales to make it 56-51 with 1:45 left.

Merlakia Jones hit a basket to cut it to 58-55 with 52.1 seconds remaining, but the Rockers missed their final three field-goal attempts after that.

Sales finished with 15 points, Adrienne Johnson had 13 and Cintia Dos Santos added 12 for Orlando, which shot 52 percent (26-for-50) for the game.

Jones had 18 points on 8-for-24 shooting, and Chasity Melvin had 14 points for Cleveland. The Rockers shot only 37.1 percent (23-for-62) from the field, including 2-for-14 on 3-pointers.

Cleveland took a 27-22 in the first half on a layup by Melvin. However, the Miracle closed the period with a 6-2 run to cut the deficit to 29-28 at halftime.

Orlando began the second half with a 14-2 run and led 42-31 with 13:11 remaining in the game. Cleveland trimmed it to 43-40 on a layup by Mery Andrade, before Orlando's 9-1 run extended the lead to 52-41 at the 7:03 mark.

The best-of-three opening-round series continues Sunday at Cleveland.
 


ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard

WNBA playoff schedule


RECAPS
Orlando 62
Cleveland 55

Los Angeles 86
Phoenix 71

AUDIO/VIDEO
video
 Taj McWilliams goes to work in the key.
avi: 491 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

 Ann Wauters shows off her low-post moves.
avi: 643 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1