Holdsclaw Is a Winner in Return to New York

In her professional homecoming, Chamique Holdsclaw scored 20 points and got her first victory in the WNBA as the Washington Mystics defeated the New York Liberty, 83-61, Monday night before 12,563 at Madison Square Garden.

The 6-foot-2 forward was the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft after a college career at Tennessee in which she was named an All-America four times and led the Lady Vols to three national championships. The New York native was just as impressive in high school, leading Christ the King to four state titles and one national championship.

Sacramento 74, Phoenix 64--Yolanda Griffith had 13 points and 18 rebounds as the Monarchs (2-1) defeated the Mercury (0-2) for the second time in three days before 13,228 at Phoenix.

Griffith, who played in the ABL the last two seasons, had 31 points when the Monarchs opened at home with a 96-85 win over Phoenix. This time, she struggled with only four points in the first half, but made three of six shots and scored seven points in the first eight minutes of the second.

Detroit 73, Cleveland 71--Carla Porter made a layup with 1.1 seconds left as the Shock defeated the Rockers before 5,895 at Cleveland.

Korie Hlede and Sandy Brondello led the Shock (1-1) with 15 points each.

Merlakia Jones led Cleveland (0-3) with a career-high 24 points and Suzie McConnell Serio had 15.

Minnesota 78, Utah 54--Minnesota, the only expansion team to win its opener in the WNBA’s two-plus seasons, made it two in a row with a rout of the Starzz (1-1) before 8,457 at Minneapolis.

Brandy Reed led the Lynx with 16 points. Andrea Lloyd-Curry had 14, Trish Fallon 13, Tonya Edwards 12 and Kristin Folkl 10.