North Carolina State University Athletics
Week 6: Wolfpack WNBA Stars Move Toward All-Star Break
7/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 8, 2002
NC State's WNBA contingent forged through another week of action with the league's All-Star break on the horizon (Monday, July 15th, 7:30 p.m.). Last season, Charlotte's Andrea Stinson and Cleveland's Chasity Melvin were chosen as All-Stars for the Eastern Conference. Both players are strong candidates to repeat that honor again this season. Stinson is currently averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, while Melvin boasts 12.9 points per game and 5.3 caroms per contest.
Charlotte had the busiest week of any team in the league with four games, beginning on Monday with a 90-68 demolition of the Phoenix Mercury. Stinson scored 13 points in 24 minutes, shooting five-for-nine from field, while dishing out five assists. The Wolfpack's Summer Erb played 17 minutes, the most for her since a 69-64 loss to the Utah Starzz in the second week of the season, scored four points and snared five caroms.
On Wednesday, Charlotte suffered a 76-73 loss to the Portland Fire. Stinson saw 32 minutes of action, and scored 13 points on 6-12 shooing from the floor to go with two assists. Erb played six minutes, grabbing one rebound.
Stinson's best game of the week came on Friday against the Miami Sol, a game Charlotte won 72-68. Stinson had an impressive all-around game with 18 points in 28 minutes on 8-for-14 shooting. The former Wolfpack star went 2-for-2 from the three-point line, grabbed seven rebounds and dished two assists and lifted two steals. Erb saw 10 minutes of action, contributing two points and three rebouinds.
Charlotte's final contest of the week came on Saturday in a 78-67 beating of Melvin's Rockers. Stinson scored eight points in 30 minutes for Charlotte, grabbing three rebounds and dishing two assists. The 6'6 Erb played seven minutes, scored one point and blocked two shots. Melvin poured in 11 points in 30 minutes on five-for-seven shooting, pulled down four boards and posted three assists.
In Cleveland's first game of the week, a 68-64 loss to Portland, Melvin played 37 minutes, went 5-10 from the field and scored 13 points. She also yanked down six rebounds and dished a couple of assists.
On Friday, Melvin scored 10 points, posted three steals and went a perfect four-for-four from the line in a 73-65 loss to the Seattle Storm, before falling on Saturday to Charlotte.
Former Wolfpack star Tynesha Lewis played 13 minutes for the Houston Comets in Saturday's 61-40 victory over the Detroit Shock. Lewis grabbed four rebounds, dished two assists and blocked two shots in her time on the court.
Charlotte has three games this week beginning on Tuesday with a game against Miami at 7:00 p.m. On Friday, the squad heads to Orlando for a game against the Miracle at 7:30 p.m. before a home date with the Minnesota Lynx at 6:00 p.m.
Cleveland has three road games this week, starting with Monday's contest at Indiana against the Fever at 8:00 p.m. On Thursday, Cleveland will head to Sacramento for a game with the Monarchs at 2:30 p.m. before continuing on to Seattle for a game with Seattle at 10:00 p.m.
Houston plays Seattle at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday before heading to Phoenix for a nationally-televised game on ESPN2 at 9:00 p.m. The Comets then play at Sacramento the following night at 9:00 p.m.
