The Shock had no problem beating the Lib at the Palace: at one point the home team led 24-6. Pierson scored 25; Katie Smith, on the other hand, went an alarming 1-9... at some point the Shock will need long-range shots, and won't get them.

Not last night, though. Detroit's superior athletes kept the lead comfy until the fourth period, when the Liberty made a big run: too little, alas, for Lib fans, and too late.

The crowd at the Palace looked truly anemic-- no cause for worry, I think, since the Shock have shown some fan presence before: and Detroit sports media have plenty of other things to cover right now.