Minnesota vs. Sacramento Post-Game Notes
Published on May 29, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release
* Sacramento improved to 3-0 on its season-opening four-game road trip with Sunday's victory, joining Detroit (3-0) as the WNBA's only remaining unbeaten teams in 2005. The Monarchs stay a half-game in front of Houston (3-1 after defeating Indiana in double-OT on Sunday) atop the Western Conference. They'll conclude their trip Wednesday night at Indiana, before returning to ARCO Arena to kick off a three-game homestand Saturday afternoon against Los Angeles.
* It's Sacramento's best start in franchise history, having previously opened 2-0 in 2001. The Monarchs got off to a 2-6 start last summer before rallying to win seven of their final 10 contests to claim the West's fourth playoff seed. Dating to last September, Sacramento has now won its last six regular-season starts to tie the club record. The Monarchs ran off six straight wins during the 2002 season (July 21-Aug. 1).
* Minnesota slips to 1-2 for the second consecutive year. The Lynx began 5-8 a year ago, then peeled off 11 wins in their next 14 outings and went on to finish third in the Western Conference. Sunday's game was also the 100th regular-season home contest in franchise history (52-48 all-time at Target Center).
* The Lynx saw their string of seven straight wins in one-possession games (decided by three points or fewer) halted Sunday. Their last loss in that category came at Indiana last July 8; Minnesota finished 2004 with a 6-2 mark in one-possession decisions, second to Los Angeles' 9-0 for most victories in that category. The Lynx edged L.A. 68-65 in their home opener on Wednesday.
* Minnesota opened a 24-12 lead at the 7:47 mark, before Tanty Maïga scored three baskets to trigger a 21-2 Monarchs blitz over the next five minutes. Sacramento made nine consecutive field goals (capped by a Nicole Powell 3-pointer) during the run, and went on to lead 35-33 at halftime.
* The Monarchs took their biggest lead of the night when Erin Buescher's three-point play made it 54-44 with 11:09 remaining. Minnesota rallied back in front 66-65 on a Nicole Ohlde putback with 1:34 left, topping off a 13-4 comeback. DeMya Walker found Yolanda Griffith to put Sacramento back in front with 0:25.1 to play, and after a Lynx turnover and two missed free throws by the Monarchs, Ohlde's potential game-winning layup came just after the final buzzer.
* Minnesota finished at 37.9% (22-for-58) from the field, hitting 44.4% in the first half before slipping to 32.3% afterwards. It's the third straight game the Lynx have topped 40% in the opening 20 minutes and shot less than 35% in the second half; their season splits are now 45.5% and 31.4%, respectively.
* Sacramento, meanwhile, has held each of its three opponents to 40% or less. Phoenix was limited to 30.0% on Opening Night (May 21), while San Antonio finished at 40.4% on Friday. The Monarchs currently rank 2nd in the WNBA in FG percentage defense at 35.8% (Detroit is allowing 35.2%). Sacramento shot a season-low 42.6% on Sunday, having hit 47.4% at Phoenix and 50.9% at San Antonio. The Monarchs remain 2nd in FG accuracy, shooting 46.8% (Houston leads at 49.8%).
* The Lynx went 7-for-16 from beyond the arc, following up Wednesday's 8-for-21 effort vs. Los Angeles. Minnesota ranks 3rd in the WNBA in treys made per game (6.3), trailing Washington (8.0) and Phoenix (7.0). The Lynx were also 15-for-15 from the FT line on Sunday, the fourth perfect night in club history. The franchise record for most free throws made without a miss is 20 (Aug. 4, 2003 vs. Phoenix).
* Griffith led Sacramento with 18 points and a season-high 11 rebounds, her second point/rebound double-double of the season and 74th of her WNBA career. Through three games, she's shooting 70.0% (21-for-30) from the field. Meanwhile, Ticha Penicheiro handed out a season-high 10 assists, extending her own WNBA record for double-digit assist efforts to 49; seven of those have come against Minnesota.
* Katie Smith again led all scorers with 23 points, her second consecutive 20-point outing and her 78th in a Lynx uniform, pushing her WNBA career scoring total to 3355 and past Andrea Stinson (3339) into 4th place on the league's all-time chart. Smith finished 4-for-8 from three-point range, after going 5-for-8 Wednesday against Los Angeles; it's the 38th time she's drained 4+ treys.
* Stacey Lovelace added 10 points and seven rebounds while fellow reserve Vanessa Hayden added eight points and a team-high eight boards, helping Minnesota rack up a 24-15 advantage in bench scoring. The Lynx' non-starters combined for 18 of the team's 33 rebounds. Rookies Kristen Mann (1st round, 11th overall) and Jacqueline Batteast (2nd round, 17th overall) both made their WNBA debuts on Sunday.
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