http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/19489.html
Shell-shocked
Monarchs collapse, hit road for decisive game
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 5:24 am PDT Thursday, September 7, 2006
Monarchs coach John Whisenant saw this coming. He tried to motivate his defending WNBA champions out of their sluggish performance in Wednesday morning's shootaround.
Whisenant tried yelling. He tried everything he could think of, even wearing his lucky purple tie.
Nothing worked.
Needing a victory for a repeat title, the Monarchs fell 72-52 to the Detroit Shock in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night at Arco Arena, forcing a decisive fifth game Saturday in Detroit.
Before an announced crowd of 14,213, the Shock eased into the victory with the help of the Monarchs' 15-point second half, a Finals record. Sacramento also scored only two fourth-quarter points.
"Maybe we subconsciously wanted to go back to Detroit," Whisenant said. "We were dead, and I warned them that we were celebrating before the dance."
A scheduling conflict moved Game 5 from the Palace of Auburn Hills to Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. Last year, when the league expanded from a best-of-three to a best-of-five Finals, the Monarchs beat Connecticut in four games, clinching the title at Arco.
"We want very badly to go back to Detroit," said Shock coach Bill Laimbeer, whose team broke Sacramento's 11-game home winning streak in the postseason.
Guard Katie Smith led the Shock with a game-high 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting, including three three-pointers. Forward Cheryl Ford recorded her first double double of the series with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
"We played a little harder, and we played a little smarter, and basically that's how we ended up where we were," Smith said.
Detroit dominated the boards, outrebounding Sacramento 40-26. The Shock also outscored the Monarchs 38-16 in the paint.
"The Finals are about a test of wills and who wants it more," Laimbeer said. "The players have to come and play. Today we did."
The Monarchs led by six points in the first quarter, but a sluggish second quarter resulted in Detroit outscoring them 21-11 for a 43-37 halftime lead.
"We are disappointed because we knew we could get it here," said DeMya Walker, who finished with six points on 3-for-9 shooting and three rebounds. "We know we are capable of beating this team. There is nothing like a blowout to put things in perspective and get you ready for the next one."
Nicole Powell led Sacramento with 13 points, all in the first half, and Yolanda Griffith finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Monarchs said they won't hang their heads. Instead, they intend to become the first WNBA team to take a championship with a road victory.
Griffith apologized to the fans for the loss and said her team will take care of business in the Motor City.
"We know we stunk up the place tonight, and we have another game," Griffith said. "We are not going to lose the confidence because we lost here."
Looking back, Griffith said she wishes the Monarchs had taken Whisenant's warnings to heart.
Although they didn't sink in then, maybe Whisenant's postgame pep talk will.
"I told them we had a 7 a.m. bus to go to the airport to get to Detroit," he said.
About the writer: The Bee's Melody Gutierrez can be reached at (916) 326-5521 or mgutierrez@sacbee.com.
Shell-shocked
Monarchs collapse, hit road for decisive game
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 5:24 am PDT Thursday, September 7, 2006
Monarchs coach John Whisenant saw this coming. He tried to motivate his defending WNBA champions out of their sluggish performance in Wednesday morning's shootaround.
Whisenant tried yelling. He tried everything he could think of, even wearing his lucky purple tie.
Nothing worked.
Needing a victory for a repeat title, the Monarchs fell 72-52 to the Detroit Shock in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night at Arco Arena, forcing a decisive fifth game Saturday in Detroit.
Before an announced crowd of 14,213, the Shock eased into the victory with the help of the Monarchs' 15-point second half, a Finals record. Sacramento also scored only two fourth-quarter points.
"Maybe we subconsciously wanted to go back to Detroit," Whisenant said. "We were dead, and I warned them that we were celebrating before the dance."
A scheduling conflict moved Game 5 from the Palace of Auburn Hills to Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. Last year, when the league expanded from a best-of-three to a best-of-five Finals, the Monarchs beat Connecticut in four games, clinching the title at Arco.
"We want very badly to go back to Detroit," said Shock coach Bill Laimbeer, whose team broke Sacramento's 11-game home winning streak in the postseason.
Guard Katie Smith led the Shock with a game-high 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting, including three three-pointers. Forward Cheryl Ford recorded her first double double of the series with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
"We played a little harder, and we played a little smarter, and basically that's how we ended up where we were," Smith said.
Detroit dominated the boards, outrebounding Sacramento 40-26. The Shock also outscored the Monarchs 38-16 in the paint.
"The Finals are about a test of wills and who wants it more," Laimbeer said. "The players have to come and play. Today we did."
The Monarchs led by six points in the first quarter, but a sluggish second quarter resulted in Detroit outscoring them 21-11 for a 43-37 halftime lead.
"We are disappointed because we knew we could get it here," said DeMya Walker, who finished with six points on 3-for-9 shooting and three rebounds. "We know we are capable of beating this team. There is nothing like a blowout to put things in perspective and get you ready for the next one."
Nicole Powell led Sacramento with 13 points, all in the first half, and Yolanda Griffith finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Monarchs said they won't hang their heads. Instead, they intend to become the first WNBA team to take a championship with a road victory.
Griffith apologized to the fans for the loss and said her team will take care of business in the Motor City.
"We know we stunk up the place tonight, and we have another game," Griffith said. "We are not going to lose the confidence because we lost here."
Looking back, Griffith said she wishes the Monarchs had taken Whisenant's warnings to heart.
Although they didn't sink in then, maybe Whisenant's postgame pep talk will.
"I told them we had a 7 a.m. bus to go to the airport to get to Detroit," he said.
About the writer: The Bee's Melody Gutierrez can be reached at (916) 326-5521 or mgutierrez@sacbee.com.