Monarchs Eliminate Comets

Ticha Penicheiro didn’t follow instructions, but the Sacramento Monarchs aren’t complaining.

Yolanda Griffith had 27 points and 17 rebounds, and Penicheiro made the decisive basket with 2.1 seconds left as the Monarchs advanced in the playoffs by ousting the Houston Comets, 70-68, Tuesday night at Houston.

“I wanted Tish to freelance a little more, and I didn’t really want to shoot it that quickly,” Monarch Coach John Whisenant said. “But our post players were covered really well. Usually she thinks pass first, but this time she did a great job.”

The Monarchs, who won two of three games in the first-round matchup, will play the Sparks in the Western Conference finals. Game 1 will be Friday night in Sacramento with the next two games Sunday and Monday at Staples Center.

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Detroit 77, Cleveland 63 -- Deanna Nolan scored 26 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., as the Shock won a playoff series for the first time.

The top-seeded Shock advance to the Eastern Conference finals against third-seeded Connecticut. Game 1 is in Uncasville, Conn., on Friday night with the next two in the best-of-three series in Auburn Hills on Sunday and Monday.

Swin Cash added 14 points and Ruth Riley 11 for Detroit. Rookie Cheryl Ford finished with 15 rebounds, including a league-record 10 defensive rebounds in the first half.

Chasity Melvin led Cleveland with 19 points, and Penny Taylor added 17.