Powell, Monarchs Streak Past Comets

By Kecia Bailey: SPM CA Writer
Posted Sunday, August 31, 2008

Nicole Powell (14) boxes out Houston's Tina Thompson. Powell scored a game-high 20 points in the Monarchs' win. Photo by George Young.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On “Women Of Inspiration” Night at ARCO Arena Saturday night, the Monarchs played an inspired third quarter in front of 9,156 fans as they took to the home floor for the first time since July 27th. Sacramento erupted offensively, outscoring the Comets 30-14 in the period on their way to a much needed 80-65 victory that extended their current home win streak to five.

More importantly, with the win the Monarchs improved to 16-13 and maintained their hold on the fourth and final Western Conference playoff berth. They also ensured themselves of at least a split of the season series with the Comets. Houston falls to 14-14 and to sixth place, a half game behind the Minnesota Lynx (15-14).

After a lackluster performance for the final three quarters in Los Angeles on Thursday, the Monarchs took full advantage of the energy of the home crowd as they welcomed in the Houston Comets – a team closely chasing them in the standings. In a reversal of events in Los Angeles, the Monarchs had a sluggish start in the first quarter, shooting just 28 percent from the floor and finishing the first ten minutes of play down by four.

The Monarchs hit their stride in the second quarter, using a 10-0 run to take a 29-25 lead they would never relinquish. Nicole Powell scored 10 of her game-high 20 points in the quarter as she paced Sacramento's scoring attack. Powell finished the game shooting 7 of 16 from the floor and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.

Although the Monarchs played well in the second quarter, the third was signature Monarchs basketball according to head coach Jenny Boucek. “When we can be aggressive on both ends of the floor, that’s when we’re playing our game. That’s what we try to do every night, establish our identity.”

After a quick basket by Tamecka Dixon to open the second half, Sacramento caught fire on their way to a 25-8 run. Following a Kara Lawson fast break layup, on their next possession Powell drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions then stole a Houston inbounds pass which led to a Lawson three. When Ticha Penicheiro blocked Dixon's shot on the next Comets possession, Houston head coach Karleen Thompson had seen enough, quickly calling a timeout.

“Sacramento came out with a sense of urgency and we didn’t …They came out and executed and turned it up defensively," Thompson said. "They came out in the third quarter and knew that they needed to put it away.”

Nine of the ten Monarchs players logging minutes in the third quarter scored, and the team shot 68 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the perimeter. With less than 20 seconds to go in the pivotal period, Sacramento had built its largest lead of the night, 70-49.

With the team’s leading rebounder Rebekkah Brunson still recovering from surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus, the Monarchs did well picking up the slack on the glass. In addition to her game-high in points, Powell also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds (and tied for a game-high in steals with three), earning praise from her coach.

“Nicole had a fabulous game on both ends of the floor,” Boucek said.

Adrian Williams-Strong and rookies Crystal Kelly and Laura Harper combined for 20 rebounds of their own, helping the Monarchs control the boards 37-29.

“We know we’re undersized and undermanned, so we have to just do everything we can to be energetic and stay focused on what we need to do to win,” Powell said of the team’s collective effort.

Olympian Kara Lawson joined Powell in providing solid offensive production, scoring 14 points on 5 of 12 shooting from the floor and 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Kelly and Scholanda Robinson were also in double-figures with 12 and 11 respectively. Penicheiro finished tied for a game-high with six assists.

For Houston, veterans Tina Thompson and Shannon Johnson each scored 12 points. Tamecka Dixon's six assists tied for the game-high and set a season-high for herself.

The Monarchs have five days to practice and get healthy before traveling travel to Phoenix to take on the Mercury on Friday, September 5th. Houston returns home to face the New York Liberty on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Notes:
Also inspiring the assembly of Monarchs faithful was a familiar sight over a year removed. At the 4:45 mark in the second quarter, DeMya Walker made her 2008 ARCO Arena debut following her recovery from two separate knee injuries which have sidelined her since last June. Walker played a little over three minutes Saturday and finished the night with two personal fouls and one steal. “I never thought for a second that I couldn’t do it. The challenge right now is just to find that medium,” Walker said. “Right now, I’ve just been pushing when I may need to hold back some.”

Point guard Ticha Penicheiro, the league’s all-time assist leader, now sits three assists shy of the 2,000 assist milestone.

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