Penicheiro Paces Monarchs

Ticha Penicheiro scored 15 points and Yolanda Griffith added 13 as the Sacramento Monarchs beat the Miami Sol, 73-55, Wednesday night before 7,608 at Sacramento.

Sacramento won its fourth in a row, and sixth in seven games, to move into third place in the Western Conference.

The Sol lost its fifth in six games--all on the road.

Miami, in sixth place in the East, trails fourth-place Detroit by 2 1/2 games with three remaining for the last playoff position in the conference.

The Monarchs led, 30-20, at halftime, and made 11 of 17 shots to pull away in the second half.

Sheri Sam, Jamie Cassidy and Milena Flores each had eight points for Miami, which was outrebounded, 33-19.

Utah 72, Minnesota 62--Jennifer Azzi had a season-high 20 points and seven assists as the Starzz won before 7,015 at Minneapolis.

Natalie Williams, averaging a league-leading 12.3 rebounds a game, had 11 and scored nine points as Utah won for the first time in Minnesota, after losing the first three times.