Monarchs Stop Miracle

Led by forwards Tangela Smith and La’Keshia Frett, the Sacramento Monarchs held off the Orlando Miracle, 62-60, Sunday night before 7,564 at Sacramento.

The Miracle scored eight consecutive points to tie the score, 58-58, before Smith stepped past two defenders to bank in a shot from close range with 1:02 remaining.

Frett followed with two free throws for a 62-58 lead.

After Orlando’s Shannon Johnson made two free throws with 24 seconds left, Adrienne Johnson and Nykesha Sales each missed perimeter shots in the final 12 seconds as the Miracle (10-11) lost for the fifth time in six games.

Smith, who has benefited from the return of center Yolanda Griffith to the Sacramento lineup the last five games, finished with 16 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Frett added 15 points, and Griffith had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Monarchs (5-16).

Johnson had 21 points for Orlando.

Portland 87, Phoenix 75--Tamicha Jackson scored 17 of her 19 points in the second half to lead the Fire (14-9) past the Mercury (8-14) before 8,694 at Phoenix.

It was Portland’s 10th victory in 11 games. Jackson, who made seven of 12 shots, including four of six three-point shots, fueled a second-half surge that gave Portland a 70-63 lead with 4:02 left. Phoenix’s Jennifer Gillom led all scorers with 26 points.