Sacramento Monarchs Weekly Update

Published on July 6, 2004 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


QUOTABLES

New York Liberty forward Shameka Christon, July 1, 2004 New York at Sacramento: "They had great defense and I don't think we executed our offense very well...I think we need to play more aggressive because (the Monarchs) are definitely an aggressive team."

New York Liberty forward Elena Baranova, July 1, 2004 New York at Sacramento: "I know the Monarchs and they always play tough inside."

WHAT ABOUT GRIFFITH?

Yolanda Griffith has led the Monarchs in scoring against the Liberty during five of 15 meetings with New York. When Griffith leads her team in points the Monarchs are 3-2 overall against the Liberty, 1-0 in Sacramento and 2-2 on the road.

MONARCHS/LIBERTY CONNECTIONS

* Monarchs forward Yolanda Griffith and guard Ticha Penicheiro were teammates with Liberty forward Elena Baranova during the 2003-04 offseason as they all played for UMMC in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

* Monarchs Ruthie Bolton, Yolanda Griffith and Ticha Penicheiro went head-to-head with New York's Vicki Johnson and Tari Phillips in the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game. All five players were designated as starters for their conference.

QUOTABLES

Minnesota Lynx Guard Teresa Edwards, June 17, 2004 Sacramento at Minnesota: "They have the type of players that swarm the boards. They do what they have to do to get the boards on the offensive end, and they have done it time and time again."

Minnesota Lynx Guard Katie Smith, June 17, 2004 Sacramento at Minnesota: "We dared (Penicheiro) to shoot it. I think that's what a lot of people do to her. Taking a 'three' is not a bad gamble, but she has knocked them down before. It was a big bucket, and it kind of put the game out of reach at that point."

WHAT ABOUT SMITH?

Although Katie Smith has been the high-scorer for the Lynx in 12 of 19 meetings with the Monarchs, Minnesota fares a 5-7 record when Smith leads in points, for a 2-4 record at Minnesota and a 3-3 record in ARCO Arena.

HOW ABOUT GRIFFITH?

Griffith has been the Monarchs high-scorer in seven of 19 meetings with Minnesota. When Griffith leads the Monarchs in scoring Sacramento holds a 5-2 record, 2-0 at home and 3-2 on the road.

MONARCHS/LYNX CONNECTIONS

* Minnesota guard Teresa Edwards was a 1986 graduate of Georgia, while Monarchs guard Lady Grooms graduated from Georgia in 1992.

* Katie Smith played with Ruthie Bolton, and Yolanda Griffith on the gold medal-winning 2000 U.S. National Team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

* Minnesota rookie, Tasha Butts and Monarchs guard Kara Lawson played on the same team for three seasons (2000-03) with the Lady Vols.

QUOTABLES

Detroit Shock head coach Bill Laimbeer, August 15, 2003 Sacramento vs. Detroit: "Sacramento plays well as a team."

Detroit Shock forward Swin Cash, August 15, 2003 Sacramento vs. Detroit: "Sacramento has good veteran leadership. Edna Campbell, Yolanda Griffith, Ticha Penicheiro, they've been there before so they were really focused and it was really a team effort."

WHAT ABOUT GRIFFITH OR SMITH?

Together both Yolanda Griffith (three games) and Tangela Smith (five games) have been high scorers for the Monarchs in eight of 10 games against the Shock. When either Griffith or Smith leads Sacramento in points the team holds a 4-4 record, 2-1 at home and 2-3 on the road.

MONARCHS/SHOCK CONNECTIONS

Both Shock guard/forward Deanna Nolan ('01) and Monarchs guard Lady Grooms ('92) are Georgia graduates.

Most Recent Game Recap

July 3, 2004 at Seattle -L, 75-61 (KeyArena)

The Monarchs lost to the Seattle Storm for the second time in 2004, 75-61, at KeyArena. Seattle jumped to an early 14-3 lead five minutes into the game and never looked back. Sacramento answered with a 12-4 run to close within four points (26-22) with less than eight minutes left in the half. The Storm ended the first half on a 23-10 scoring spree for the 49-32 lead at the break. Seattle shot an impressive 61.5 percent in the first half, led by Lauren Jackson's franchise-record 23 points for the half.

The Storm were able to build their lead to 30 points in the second half, leading 69-39 with less then 10 minutes remaining in the game. Sacramento was able to reduce their deficit to 12 points with a 22-4 run in the final minutes, but it wasn't enough. Seattle finished the night shooting 44.2% from the floor compared to Sacramento's 37.7% shooting. Jackson was the game leader in both points and rebounds finishing with 32 and 12 respectively.

Hamchétou Maïga was a spark off the bench leading the Monarchs with a career-high 17 points, including 7-of-10 from the floor. Rookie Rebekkah Brunson tied here career-high 10 points, while Yolanda Griffith was the team leader on the boards grabbing seven rebounds and adding six points.

Sacramento scored 10 fast break points to Seattle's zero and outrebounded the Storm 37-36. Both teams finished the night shooting 85.7% from the foul line (12-of-14 Sacramento, 24-28 Seattle).

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