http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/342151.html
Monarchs beat Silver Stars 86-65 in playoff opener
Nicole Powell leads all players with 22 points and eight rebounds as team heads to San Antonio
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Published 9:19 pm PDT Thursday, August 23, 2007
Nicole Powell scored a career playoff high 22 points to give the Monarchs the 86-65 win over visiting San Antonio in front an announced crowd of 10,126 at Arco Arena.
The Monarchs now have the 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series as the first round of the WNBA playoffs head to San Antonio for Game 2 on Saturday and, if necessary, Game 3 on Monday.
Rebekkah Brunson added 17 points, while Kara Lawson scored 16 points coming off the bench. San Antonio's Sophia Young scored 20 points in her first playoff appearance. Point guard Becky Hammon finished with 16 points off 6-for-16 shooting from the field. Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek told her team earlier in the day that San Antonio isn't a strong at one-on-one defense and to expect to earn free throws. And they certainly did.
The Monarchs were 28-for-32 on free throw attempts. San Antonio made 14 of their 16 free throw attempts. The Monarchs took a 24-14 lead after the first quarter, but the Silver Stars responded with a 20-14 second quarter. The Monarchs led by as many as 13 points in the first half as Powell scored 12 points and Penicheiro added six. The Monarchs' defense forced 11 Silver Stars turnovers for eight points, while giving up nine turnovers for 11 points. Hammon wasn't a factor before intermission, scoring five points off 2-for-7 shooting from the field. Hammon opened the game 0-for-3 before making her first shot on a driving layup with 8:07 left in the half.
Monarchs beat Silver Stars 86-65 in playoff opener
Nicole Powell leads all players with 22 points and eight rebounds as team heads to San Antonio
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Published 9:19 pm PDT Thursday, August 23, 2007
Nicole Powell scored a career playoff high 22 points to give the Monarchs the 86-65 win over visiting San Antonio in front an announced crowd of 10,126 at Arco Arena.
The Monarchs now have the 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series as the first round of the WNBA playoffs head to San Antonio for Game 2 on Saturday and, if necessary, Game 3 on Monday.
Rebekkah Brunson added 17 points, while Kara Lawson scored 16 points coming off the bench. San Antonio's Sophia Young scored 20 points in her first playoff appearance. Point guard Becky Hammon finished with 16 points off 6-for-16 shooting from the field. Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek told her team earlier in the day that San Antonio isn't a strong at one-on-one defense and to expect to earn free throws. And they certainly did.
The Monarchs were 28-for-32 on free throw attempts. San Antonio made 14 of their 16 free throw attempts. The Monarchs took a 24-14 lead after the first quarter, but the Silver Stars responded with a 20-14 second quarter. The Monarchs led by as many as 13 points in the first half as Powell scored 12 points and Penicheiro added six. The Monarchs' defense forced 11 Silver Stars turnovers for eight points, while giving up nine turnovers for 11 points. Hammon wasn't a factor before intermission, scoring five points off 2-for-7 shooting from the field. Hammon opened the game 0-for-3 before making her first shot on a driving layup with 8:07 left in the half.