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Monarchs hand Mercury first loss of season
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Mercury guard Cappie Pondexter, right, drives to the basket past Monarchs guard Hamchetou Maiga-Ba during the second quarter. June 12, 2009.
The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Nicole Powell scored 19 points and the Sacramento Monarchs pulled away in the second half for a 90-71 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.
The Monarchs (1-2), who opened the season with a pair of losses to Seattle, were aggressive from the start, and it showed at the free-throw line. Sacramento made 27 of 34 attempts, while Phoenix made all 12 of its attempts.
The teams meet again Saturday night in Phoenix (2-1).
DeWanna Bonner had 13 points for the Mercury, Diana Taurasi scored 11 points, and both Tangela Smith and Cappie Pondexter had 10. Taurasi and Pondexter came into the game averaging a combined 47.5 points.
Scholanda Robinson scored 13 points and Lauren Harper had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Monarchs. Sacramento outscored Phoenix in second-chance points 22-6.
With foul-plagued Taurasi scoring seven quick points, the Mercury pulled within 48-47 at the 6:45 mark of the third quarter. But Sacramento came back with a 13-2 run and led 66-53 heading into the final period.
Displaying hustle and strong defense, the Monarchs established an early lead and took a 39-32 advantage into halftime. DeMya Walker scored seven points for Sacramento. The Monarchs made 17 of 21 free throws in the first half, while the Mercury did not attempt a free throw.
Pondexter scored 10 first-half points for the Mercury. Phoenix was without its one-two punch for much of the second quarter when Taurasi went to the bench at the 9:44 mark with her third foul and was scoreless in nine first-half minutes.
Sacramento played without starting point guard Ticha Penicheiro, who has a sprained right thumb.
Although the Monarchs dominated for much of the opening quarter, the Mercury used the outside shooting of Pondexter and Temeka Johnson to pull within 22-17 heading into the second period.
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