Swin Cash and Nicole Powell helped the Western Conference get back on the winning track at the WNBA All-Star game yesterday at Uncasville, Conn.

Cash, a McKeesport High School graduate, set an All-Star game record with 22 points, Powell had 21, and the West beat the East, 130-118. Diana Taurasi had 18 points, and Sue Bird added 16 in the league's highest-scoring All-Star game.

Cash, who starred at Connecticut along with Taurasi and Bird, was selected the game's MVP after making 10 of 16 field-goal attempts and adding six rebounds and four assists.

"We always wanted to win from the start," Cash said after receiving the award at midcourt. "I came here to have a lot of fun, play really hard."

Sylvia Fowles scored 16 points, Jia Perkins had 16, and Alana Beard 14 for the East.