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Sacramento Monarchs Weekly Update

August 22, 2007 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


Playoff Berth

With a win over the Connecticut Sun on August 7, the Monarchs have clinched a spot in the 2007 playoffs. This marks the back-to-back Western Conference Champion's fifth consecutive playoff appearance - their eighth appearance in nine seasons. Playoff tickets are now on sale, go to SacramentoMonarchs.com for more information.

Most Improved

Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson has made huge improvements in her game during the 2007 season. Her improved play has other WNBA players and coach's taking notice, making her a standout candidate for the WNBA's 2007 Most Improved Player Award.

2006 and 2007 Stats - Rebekkah Brunson

Year G GS MPG FG% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

2006 34 14 17.7 .461 2.3 3.4 5.6 0.5 0.6 0.4 6.8

2007 33 29 28.2 .473 3.9 5.0 8.9 0.7 1.3 0.9 11.5

Bench Play

The Monarchs bench has out-scored their opponent's bench 26 out of 34 games. Leading the way with 11.5 points per game is Kara Lawson, a leading candidate for the 2007 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year award.

Milestones

On August 19, 2007, Yolanda Griffith surpassed the 4,000 point plateau. Griffith is the sixth player in WNBA history to reach the milestone. On July 12, 2007, Ticha Penicheiro played her 9,000th career minute. Penicheiro currently ranks 5th all-time in the WNBA in minutes played. On July 26, 2007, Yolanda Griffith played her 8,000th career minute. Griffith currently ranks 17th all-time in the WNBA in minutes played.

Monarchs 2007 Practice Schedule

Your 2007 Sacramento Monarchs have arrived! Practice times and locations are subject to change. If you plan to attend practice, we recommend you confirm with the Monarchs Media Relations Department by calling (916) 928-8112.

Monarchs Recent Transactions

6-4-07: Signed forward Linda Fröhlich and waived center Brittany Wilkins

5-14-07: Waived centers Antionette Wells and Erin Batth

Monarchs First Round Playoff Schedule

Game 1: Thursday, August 23, Monarchs vs. San Antonio Silver Stars, 7:00 P.M. PDT at ARCO Arena. Game will be broadcast on NBATV

Game 2: Saturday, August 25, Monarchs at San Antonio Silver Stars, 10:00 A.M. PDT at AT&T Center. Game will be broadcast on ESPN2

Game 3: Monday, August 27, Monarchs at San Antonio Silver Stars, TBD at AT&T Center. The game will be broadcast on NBATV

**All games can be heard on Sports 1140 KHTK with Jim Kozimor and Krista Blunk calling the action.

UPCOMING OPPONENT

Monarchs vs. San Antonio Silver Stars

Silver Stars/Monarchs Playoff History

Sacramento is 2-0 all-time against San Antonio in the playoffs. The two teams met in the first round of the 2001 WNBA Playoffs. At the time, the San Antonio Silver Stars were the Utah Starzz. It was a best of three series in which the Monarchs won the first game 89-65 at Utah and went on to sweep the Starzz at home with a 71-66 victory at ARCO Arena.

2007 SERIES VS. SAN ANTONIO

August 15, 2007 vs. San Antonio Silver Stars - W, 81-74 (ARCO Arena)

- Kristin Haynie led the Monarchs off the bench with a career-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the arc.

- Kara Lawson came off the bench with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Ten of her 13 points came in the second half.

- Also in double figures for the Monarchs were Nicole Powell with 13 and Yolanda Griffith with 10.

- Rebekkah Brunson notched a career-high four blocks. She also added a game-high 12 rebounds.

- Nicole Powell and Scholanda Robinson each had a career-high four steals. As a team, the Monarchs stole the ball 12 times while the Silver Stars only tallied three steals.

- Becky Hammon scored 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-12 from the three-point line.

- Sophia Young tallied a game-high tying 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting. She also added four rebounds and three assists.

- The Silver Stars out-shot the Monarchs in field goal percentage (46%-45%) and free throw percentage (75%-73%).

- Also in double figures for the Silver Stars was Camille Little with 11 points. She also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

August 9, 2007 at San Antonio Silver Stars - L, 61-72 (AT&T Center)

- Yolanda Griffith led the Monarchs with her sixth consecutive double-digit game and a season-high 15 points. She also added seven rebounds.

- Rebekkah Brunson pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds, including a career-high 11 defensive boards. She also added 12 points and two steals.

- As a team, the Monarchs grabbed 43 rebounds. They out-rebounded the Silver Stars on the offensive end 22-9.

- Shanna Crossley came off the bench with a team-high tying 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

- Sophia Young also added 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Also in double figures for the Silver Stars was Becky Hammon with 16.

- San Antonio out-shot the Monarchs 50% - 36%.

July 20, 2007 at San Antonio Silver Stars - L, 71-81 (AT&T Center)

- Kara Lawson led the Monarchs with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 3-of-3 from the three-point line.

- Also in double figures for the Monarchs was Ticha Penicheiro with 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting. She also added three rebounds and three assists.

- Rebekkah Brunson grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.

- With the loss, the Monarchs fall to 12-9 and drop their third game in a row.

- All five Silver Stars starters tallied double figures with Becky Hammon leading the way with 18 points and six assists.

- Sophia Young scored 15 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

- The Silver Stars out-shot the Monarchs 51% to 44%.

June 5, 2007 vs. San Antonio Silver Stars - W, 74-57 (ARCO Arena)

- Rebekkah Brunson led the Monarchs with a career-high of 21 points on a career- high 9 field goals made. She also added a game-high tying 9 rebounds.

- With the win, the Monarchs continue their hot streak at home with their franchise record of eleven consecutive wins and move to 4-2 overall for the 2007 season.

- The Monarchs outscored the Silver Stars in points in the paint 40-22.

- Nicole Powell scored 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting. She also grabbed a career-high tying 9 rebounds.

- Also in double figures for the Monarchs, were Yolanda Griffith (10) and Kara Lawson (10).

- Vickie Johnson led the Silver Stars with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting.

- Sophia Young pulled in 7 rebounds, while shooting 3-5 from the field for 9 points.

- In her first ARCO Arena appearance in a Silver Stars uniform, Erin Buescher tallied 3 points, 3 rebounds and a career-high tying 5 steals.

- As a team, the Silver Stars shot a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line.

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