Bolton-Holifield Hits High Note, Monarchs Win

With Ticha Penicheiro nursing a sprained ankle and Yolanda Griffith in foul trouble, Ruthie Bolton-Holifield stepped up and matched her own franchise record with 34 points as the Sacramento Monarchs beat the Washington Mystics, 79-74, Friday night before 14,176 at Washington.

Bolton-Holifield, who sang the national anthem in a duet with Washington’s Nikki McCray, scored 20 of her team’s last 29 points, including two free throws that broke a 69-69 tie with 2:20 to play. She was nine for 20 from the field, 13 of 14 from the line, and made eight straight free throws in the final three minutes as the Monarchs (7-3) finished the game with a 12-2 run.

Chamique Holdsclaw had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Mystics (2-8).

Utah 83, Cleveland 68--Margo Dydek scored a season-high 20 points and added nine rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the Starzz past the struggling Rockers (2-9, 0-5 on the road) before 4,648 at Salt Lake City.

It was the first win for Fred Williams since he replaced Frank Layden as coach of the Starzz (3-6) on June 21.