Balanced Sacramento Holds Off Phoenix

Nicole Powell and DeMya Walker each scored 13 points to lead the Sacramento Monarchs past the Phoenix Mercury, 77-72, on Saturday night in Phoenix.

Yolanda Griffith had 11 points and Powell added six rebounds and six assists for Sacramento, which built a 12-point lead in the second half before the Mercury pulled within three in the final two minutes.

Diana Taurasi and Anna DeForge each had 20 points for the Mercury, but they missed 23 of 34 shots.

Powell found Walker for an easy basket with 18.8 seconds left to put Sacramento ahead, 70-65. Ticha Penicheiro’s four free throws in the final 6.7 seconds sealed it.

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Houston 78, San Antonio 70 -- Sheryl Swoopes scored 26 points on the road for the Comets, who led by as many as 19 points in the second half before the Silver Stars closed to within five with less than a minute remaining.

San Antonio’s Kendra Wecker, the fourth draft pick overall, hurt her left knee early in the game and did not return.

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Detroit 78, Connecticut 67 -- Deanna Nolan recorded the fourth triple-double in league history with 11 points, a team-record 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the Shock’s home win.

Detroit led, 41-34, at halftime, but the Sun made it 45-44 with 17:07 to play, before the Shock went on a 13-1 run.

Connecticut’s Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 25 points.

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Washington 60, Charlotte 42 -- DeLisha Milton-Jones had 11 points and seven rebounds and first-round draft pick Temeka Johnson added 10 points on the road for the Mystics.

Charlotte missed 19 of its first 21 shots and committed 13 turnovers in the game’s first 16 minutes. The Mystics held the Sting to 29% shooting overall and forced 25 turnovers.

Sheri Sam led Charlotte with 16 points.