let

x = the points that sheryl swoopes from the Houston Comets scored

y = the points that lauren jackson from the Seattle Storm scored

swoopes scored 17 points more thanthe secons leading scorer, lauren jackson from the settale storm:

x = y + 17

together they scored a total of 1211 points:

x + y = 1211

by solving the system of equations:

x = y + 17

x + y = 1211

we find:

x = 614 points

y = 597 points

click here to see the step by step solution of the system of equations:

Swoops scored 614 points and lauren scored 597 points.