Starzz rock the Rockers

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    By Michelle Kramer

    Adrienne Goodson scored 27 points, tying a season best, as the Starzz silenced the Rockers 84-77 Wednesday, July 26.

    What made the feat even more amazing was that Goodson had an emergency root canal done Wednesday morning prior to the game against Cleveland.

    “I think it was the anisthetic,” joked Goodson when asked what helped elevate her game.

    In addition to Goodson’s 11 for 15 game, Natalie Williams snagged 19 rebounds for Utah to beat her previous record — 18 against Charlotte on June 15.

    The Starzz trailed by as much as seven in the first half after Rockers point guard Suzie McConnell Serio hit an eight foot running jump with 13:54 on the clock. Williams, running into foul trouble in the first half with three, was replaced by Amy Herrig with 7:14 left before the half.

    Herrig played 16 minutes, shooting 2 for 5 and finishing with five points. The game was tied as late as 6:19 in the first after Mery Andrade hit a 22 foot jumper from downtown.

    Utah went into the half with a 35-27 lead after Goodson had a fast break driving layup and hit two from the free throw line.

    “Adrienne’s tough. She shows a lot of concentration and is always going to give it what she’s got,” said Coach Fred Williams, back for his first game at the helm after sitting out with the flu in Miami.

    With 6:16 left in the second half, Goodson disputed a referee call saying it wasn’t even out of bounds. The referees reconvened and the new decision put another foul on Williams, giving her a fifth on the night.

    Margo Dydek came in and covered for Williams after starting earlier in the game. She scored 13 points on the night and had three blocks.

    Utah led by as much as ten points after Jennifer Azzi hit two free shots and again when Goodson had her turn at the line.

    Williams left the game for good with 24 seconds left when she received her sixth foul of the night.

    “We played 40 minutes of really strong basketball,” Azzi said.

    Prior to Goodson’s appearance off the bench, the Starzz were down by as much as seven.

    “I miss her when she’s not on the court,” Azzi said about Goodson.

    Goodson, when asked about how she felt about coming off the bench added, “I belong in the starting lineup. Period.”

    Leading scorers for the Rockers were Merlakia Jones with 18 and Chastity Melvin with 16. Each also had seven rebounds for Cleveland.

    Utah will next take on the expansion Indiana Fever at home in the Delta Center on Saturday, July 29. Game time is 6 p.m., following the Phoenix Suns — Utah Jazz Rocky Mountain Revue game that will be played there at 2 p.m.

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