Taurasi Loses but Stands Out

Diana Taurasi scored 22 points in her WNBA debut -- including a 50-foot bank shot at the halftime buzzer -- but Yolanda Griffith led the visiting Sacramento Monarchs to a 72-66 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday in front of 10,493 in the season-opener.

Taurasi fouled out with 34.6 seconds left, falling one point shy of the record for a player in her first WNBA game.

Griffith had 17 points and nine rebounds as the bigger Monarchs dominated inside, outrebounding the Mercury, 34-23.

San Antonio 64, Houston 55 -- Marie Ferdinand scored 20 of her 26 points in the second half to lead a comeback by the Silver Stars in front of 7,146 at Houston.

San Antonio shot only 27.3% in the first half and trailed by 11 points at the break. But the Silver Stars made 12 of their first 16 shots in the second half and went on a 17-0 run at one point.

Ferdinand scored seven points in the decisive run to a 42-38 lead with 14.53 left.

Tina Thompson led Houston with 20 points.

Seattle 88, Minnesota 85 -- Lauren Jackson scored 31 points and Betty Lennox added 18 in her Seattle debut, leading the Storm over the Lynx in front of 6,624.

Jackson, the reigning league most valuable player, had 20 second-half points on a strong offensive night. She made 11 of 16 shots and missed one of eight free throws. She also had five rebounds and two blocked shots. Sue Bird added 17 points.

Teresa Edwards and Katie Smith each scored 17 points for Minnesota.