http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12935859p-13783611c.html
How's this for openers? A win
The Monarchs' strong newcomers - and veterans - defeat the Mercury.
By Debbie Arrington -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, May 22, 2005
PHOENIX - These kids are all right.
Opening the season with a long-range barrage, the Monarchs' youth movement paid off with a 77-72 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night at America West Arena.
Making the most of its newcomers, Sacramento coupled its pesky defense with a steady stream of three-pointers, sinking five of its first seven attempts.
Pacing the perimeter offense was small forward Nicole Powell, who contributed 13 points, six rebounds and six assists in her Monarchs debut.
"This was just awesome," said Powell, a Phoenix native playing before her parents as well as several other family members and friends. "A win is a good homecoming."
Three Monarchs veterans also scored in double digits. DeMya Walker scored 13 with five rebounds. Yolanda Griffith chipped in 11 to go with six rebounds. Ticha Penicheiro also scored 11 - including four crucial free throws to seal the victory.
For Phoenix, Mercury guards Diana Taurasi and Anna DeForge each scored 20, although their shots were off most of the night. They combined for 11 of 34 from the floor.
"It's hard to always play from behind, and we did that a lot," Taurasi said.
Free throws - 29 of 36 - kept Phoenix close before a crowd of 10,503.
Sacramento limited the Mercury to 30 percent (18 of 60) from the field but couldn't keep the Mercury off the line.
Monarchs rookie guard Chelsea Newton and guard/forward Erin Buescher, a throw-in as part of the Tangela Smith trade that brought Powell to Sacramento, also made instant impacts for their new club. Newton, who often defended Taurasi, scored eight points. Buescher had seven, as well as contributing some key defensive plays.
"We gave up a very good player to get Nicole," Monarchs coach John Whisenant said. "She fits our needs. But Erin also made the most of her minutes."
The oldest team in the WNBA last summer, the Monarchs showed their fresh, young faces early, fielding a lineup with an average age of 23.6 for long stretches in the first half. Newton, the Monarchs' second-round draft pick out of Rutgers, started in her WNBA debut.
"Of course, I felt nervous, but it was more nervous energy than anything," said Newton, who sank her first three-pointer 64 seconds into the game.
Newton will see much more action on this road trip. Guard Kara Lawson, who was expected to be a regular starter alongside Penicheiro, sprained her left ankle with 1:57 to go in the contest. After shooting a contested jump shot, Lawson landed awkwardly and rolled her ankle.
Sacramento endured another scary moment just four minutes into the new season when Griffith collapsed to the floor in pain after tangling with teammate Walker for a rebound.
"I banged my shoulder, and it hyperextended my (right) elbow," Griffith said, "but it's OK."
The Monarchs led by nine at intermission and by 11 with 4:51 to go when Phoenix launched a late bid. A series of three-pointers by Taurasi and Australian rookie Belinda Snell narrowed the gap to three with 1:46 remaining.
"We started standing a little too much," Griffith said.
Added Powell: "They're just like the Phoenix Suns; they can come back in an instant. It wasn't pretty, but we got the win."
About the writer: The Bee's Debbie Arrington can be reached at (916) 326-5514 or darrington@sacbee.com.
How's this for openers? A win
The Monarchs' strong newcomers - and veterans - defeat the Mercury.
By Debbie Arrington -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, May 22, 2005
PHOENIX - These kids are all right.
Opening the season with a long-range barrage, the Monarchs' youth movement paid off with a 77-72 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night at America West Arena.
Making the most of its newcomers, Sacramento coupled its pesky defense with a steady stream of three-pointers, sinking five of its first seven attempts.
Pacing the perimeter offense was small forward Nicole Powell, who contributed 13 points, six rebounds and six assists in her Monarchs debut.
"This was just awesome," said Powell, a Phoenix native playing before her parents as well as several other family members and friends. "A win is a good homecoming."
Three Monarchs veterans also scored in double digits. DeMya Walker scored 13 with five rebounds. Yolanda Griffith chipped in 11 to go with six rebounds. Ticha Penicheiro also scored 11 - including four crucial free throws to seal the victory.
For Phoenix, Mercury guards Diana Taurasi and Anna DeForge each scored 20, although their shots were off most of the night. They combined for 11 of 34 from the floor.
"It's hard to always play from behind, and we did that a lot," Taurasi said.
Free throws - 29 of 36 - kept Phoenix close before a crowd of 10,503.
Sacramento limited the Mercury to 30 percent (18 of 60) from the field but couldn't keep the Mercury off the line.
Monarchs rookie guard Chelsea Newton and guard/forward Erin Buescher, a throw-in as part of the Tangela Smith trade that brought Powell to Sacramento, also made instant impacts for their new club. Newton, who often defended Taurasi, scored eight points. Buescher had seven, as well as contributing some key defensive plays.
"We gave up a very good player to get Nicole," Monarchs coach John Whisenant said. "She fits our needs. But Erin also made the most of her minutes."
The oldest team in the WNBA last summer, the Monarchs showed their fresh, young faces early, fielding a lineup with an average age of 23.6 for long stretches in the first half. Newton, the Monarchs' second-round draft pick out of Rutgers, started in her WNBA debut.
"Of course, I felt nervous, but it was more nervous energy than anything," said Newton, who sank her first three-pointer 64 seconds into the game.
Newton will see much more action on this road trip. Guard Kara Lawson, who was expected to be a regular starter alongside Penicheiro, sprained her left ankle with 1:57 to go in the contest. After shooting a contested jump shot, Lawson landed awkwardly and rolled her ankle.
Sacramento endured another scary moment just four minutes into the new season when Griffith collapsed to the floor in pain after tangling with teammate Walker for a rebound.
"I banged my shoulder, and it hyperextended my (right) elbow," Griffith said, "but it's OK."
The Monarchs led by nine at intermission and by 11 with 4:51 to go when Phoenix launched a late bid. A series of three-pointers by Taurasi and Australian rookie Belinda Snell narrowed the gap to three with 1:46 remaining.
"We started standing a little too much," Griffith said.
Added Powell: "They're just like the Phoenix Suns; they can come back in an instant. It wasn't pretty, but we got the win."
About the writer: The Bee's Debbie Arrington can be reached at (916) 326-5514 or darrington@sacbee.com.