Aug 25, 2007, 17:04 GMT
Sacramento, CA - Nicole Powell scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Sacramento Monarchs to an 86-65 rout of the San Antonio Silver Stars in the first game of the Western Conference best-of-three semifinals.
Rebekkah Brunson had 17 points Kara Lawson added 16 for the third-seeded Monarchs, who are attempting to win their third straight Western Conference championship.
Yolanda Griffith finished with 10 points and nine rebounds and Ticha Penicheiro donated 10 points and seven assists for Sacramento, which outrebounded San Antonio 41-22 and made 28 free throws.
Sophia Young scored 20 points and grabbed eight boards, while Becky Hammon scored 16 points but shot just 6-of-16 from the field for the second-seeded Silver Stars, who made their first appearance in the postseason since the Utah Starzz moved to San Antonio after the 2002 season.
Sacramento held a 38-34 halftime advantage and pulled away in the third holding San Antonio scoreless for nearly five minutes during a 13-2 run.
The series shifts to San Antonio, where the two teams will meet on Saturday.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Your Talkback on this Story