Baranova Helps Miami End Sacramento Streak

Elena Baranova scored 21 points as the Miami Sol defeated Sacramento, 66-54, Saturday night at Miami, ending the Monarchs’ five-game winning streak.

The Sol (7-9), which had lost nine of its last 12 games, shot a franchise-best 54% and rallied from a nine-point deficit twice in the first half to please the 8,328 in attendance.

Baranova made eight of 14 shots, including three of four from three-point range, and finished with seven rebounds. Sheri Sam added 12 points for the Sol, which scored 27 points off 18 Sacramento turnovers.

Yolanda Griffith scored 20 points for the Monarchs (10-7), who had a season-low point total and lost for the first time in five games under Coach Maura McHugh, who took over on June 25 when Sonny Allen resigned.

Charlotte 48, Seattle 38--Dawn Staley scored 15 points and Shalonda Enis added 12 as the Sting tied a franchise record with their sixth consecutive victory in front of 7,007 at Charlotte, N.C.

Staley also had five assists, and Enis added seven rebounds for Charlotte (7-10), which also won six in a row in 1999.

Simone Edwards led Seattle (8-9) with 14 points, but Lauren Jackson scored only seven.

Phoenix 66, Washington 52--Trisha Fallon scored 16 points and Jennifer Gillom added 15 as the Mercury rallied in the second half to defeat the Mystics before 7,463 at Phoenix.

Maria Stepanova had 14 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals for the Mercury, which defeated the Mystics for the seventh consecutive time.