Long Wait Is Worth It for the Monarchs

After waiting for a championship since the WNBA’s founding season, the Sacramento Monarchs finally won it all in style -- their own hard-nosed, defense-first style.

Yolanda Griffith had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and the Monarchs wrapped up their first title with a 62-59 victory over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4 of the WNBA finals on Tuesday night.

Ticha Penicheiro had six assists and made a free throw with 9.9 seconds left for the Monarchs, one of the league’s original franchises. They lost in the Western Conference finals in three of the last four seasons, including a loss to Seattle last year.

But with seven victories in eight playoff games this season, Sacramento’s revamped roster finally won it all with flair and force.

“I knew this was a special team when everybody reported to training camp,” said Griffith, the finals most valuable player. “I knew then that we had something special. This has been the best season of my career. My teammates made this special. This is just unbelievable.”

Nicole Powell scored 13 points and Rebekkah Brunson had 12 for the Monarchs, who made another big second-half rally and held off another late charge by the Sun, who finished with the WNBA’s best regular-season record.

Ashja Jones scored a playoff career-high 21 points, but Connecticut’s stars struggled in the biggest game of the season. Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Nykesha Sales accounted for slightly less than half of the Sun’s points during their playoff run, but they combined for 20 points on eight-for-28 shooting in Game 4.

Griffith had a key deflection and made two free throws with 1:44 left, but Katie Douglas made a three-point basket with 37 seconds to play. Leading 61-59, the Monarchs ran down the clock and nearly turned over the ball before Penicheiro was fouled by McWilliams-Franklin with 9.9 seconds left.

The eight-year Sacramento veteran made one of two free throws -- and just as in Game 2, the Monarchs had a three-point lead with a few seconds left. Sales’ desperate three-pointer was an air ball.

Afterward, the players hugged and danced at midcourt with owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, who joined Kara Lawson in dancing atop the scorers’ table. Confetti poured from the rafters at Arco Arena, where a near-sellout crowd was deafening.

Penicheiro addressed the crowd.

“I know it’s been eight long years you guys have been with us, waiting patiently for this moment,” Penicheiro said. “Now we’re the champions. We wanted to celebrate in front of you guys. We wouldn’t be standing right here if it wasn’t for you.”