Smith and Griffith Help Monarchs Win
Tangela Smith and Yolanda Griffith combined for four points in the final 10 seconds as the Sacramento Monarchs defeated the Houston Comets, 65-59, Friday night in the opening game of their best-of-three WNBA playoff series in front of 10,612 at Arco Arena in Sacramento.
Sacramento saw a 15-point lead shrink to 60-59 when Janeth Arcain scored on a driving layup with 23 seconds left. But Kara Lawson made a free throw and Griffith and Smith scored the final four points for the Monarchs.
Sheryl Swoopes had 27 points and nine rebounds for the Comets.
Detroit 76, Cleveland 74 -- Swin Cash’s basket with 4.7 seconds left gave the Shock its first WNBA playoff victory in front of 8,430 at Cleveland. With Detroit trailing, 74-73, Cash grabbed a long rebound and scored to finish with 26 points.
The Shock, which had the league’s best record (25-9) in the regular season, was playing in only its second playoff game and first since 1999.
From Associated Press
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
