WNBA
Scores/Schedules Standings
Statistics
Rosters
  Saturday, Jul. 22 10:00pm ET
Griffith carries Monarchs to win
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Yolanda Griffith had 21 points and 17 rebounds as the Sacramento Monarchs earned a crucial 61-60 victory Saturday over the Phoenix Mercury.

Yolanda Griffith
Griffith flexes her muscle with a 21 point, 17-rebound effort.

The victory moved the third-place Monarchs (15-9) past Phoenix (14-9) in the Western Conference.

With Phoenix trailing 58-56, Mercury star Brandy Reed missed a 10-foot jumper and Kedra Holland-Corn grabbed the rebound and was fouled.

She missed two free throws, but Griffith grabbed the rebound. Holland-Corn was fouled again and made one of two from the line, giving the Monarchs a 59-56 lead with 7.8 seconds remaining.

After Lisa Harrison made a free throw, Ruthie Bolton-Holifield made two free throws to give the Monarchs a four-point lead. Harrison connected on a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Sacramento escaped with a one-point victory.

"Sacramento and Phoenix are just scratching for the third and fourth spot," Reed said. "And now we're tied with nine losses apiece, so we just gotta get some victories and stay in the playoff picture."

Sacramento took the lead for good at 14:30 of the second half when Bolton-Holifield's driving layup broke a 37-37 tie. That started a 10-2 run that was culminated by another basket by Bolton-Holifield.

Reed led Phoenix with 22 points and Bridget Pettis had 12.

Bolton-Holifield scored 14 points for the Monarchs, who led 29-27 at halftime. Phoenix coach Cheryl Miller had knee surgery Sunday and was absent for the third straight game.

 


ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard

RECAPS
Cleveland 76
Miami 47

Indiana 80
Charlotte 59

Sacramento 61
Phoenix 60

AUDIO/VIDEO
video
 Yolanda Griffith gets the rebound and scores 2 of her 21 points.
avi: 577 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1