PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Ruthie Bolton-Holifield scored 21 points
as the Sacramento Monarchs handed the Portland Fire their ninth
straight loss, 64-58 on Sunday night.
Yolanda Griffith added 13 points and 15 rebounds for the
Monarchs, who won their third straight and broke a 5-game road
losing streak. She was whistled for a technical late in the game,
but the Monarchs then went on a run.
"After the tech, we were fine. We were ready," Griffith said,
adding that she just gave a look to get the tech.
"I swear I didn't say anything. But it was worth it. I'll pay
$150 for it."
Alisa Burras scored 18 for the Fire, who have been in a free
fall since the All-Star break. Sophia Witherspoon added 11, but
center Sylvia Crawley fouled out with 3:19 left. Crawley had only
two points and five rebounds.
"We're playing for pride now, playing to get out of this
streak," Portland coach Linda Hargrove said.
Lady Hardmon completed a 3-point play with 3:27 left to tie the
game at 53. After Crawley fouled out, the Monarchs took over.
"We've got depth in the guard position, and some in the post
position but not as much," Bolton-Holifield said. "Sometimes
Yolanda takes a beating and they are really all over her. I look at
it like, I've got to go in and take some of the pressure off her.
We've got to have a supporting cast."
Bolton-Holifield hit an off-balance 3-pointer with 2:04 left to
give Sacramento the lead for good. She added a layup and Hardmon
hit a jumper as the Fire scored only one field goal -- a layup by
Burras -- in the final 2:25.
"That's been happening for eight games," Burras said. "We
have to learn to finish games, to put teams away."
Burras had 10 of her 14 points during a 4:28 stretch of the
second half. She scored six straight points, but Bolton-Holifield
scored five and Tangela Smith gave Sacramento its first lead of the
half with 10:02 left, 42-41.
Tully Bevilaqua hit a jumper and Burras had two straight
fastbreak scores and the Fire retook the lead.
DeMya Walker hit a 3-pointer with 6:38 left to give Portland a
50-43 lead.
Then, Sacramento made its run. Griffith hit a layup and Hardmon
had a pair of free throws. Bolton-Holifield tied the game at 50
with a 3-pointer with 5:34 left.
"Sometimes you search for the right combination, and I thought
that last combination we had on the floor played really well,"
Sacramento coach Maura McHugh said. "Ruthie is a really hard-nosed
player and she's not afraid to make a big shot or be in a tight
game. You really feel comfortable with her out there."
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ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard
Sacramento team page
Portland team page
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