Sacramento Monarchs-New York Liberty gamer for the Sacramento Bee
Monarchs use 'D' to find their 'A' game
By Denis Gorman -- Special To The Bee
NEW YORK -- Ticha Penicheiro had just forced Liberty guard Becky Hammon into an air ball. Kara Lawson jumped off the bench, yelling, "Great defense! Great defense!"
That scene was a snapshot of a much larger portrait, one that brought back memories of the 2005 WNBA champions.
Thursday night's 79-58 win over New York at Madison Square Garden was a return to form for the Monarchs. Sacramento's defense forced New York to take contested shots (36.4 percent shooting from the field) and 20 turnovers. In the second half, Sacramento only gave up 25 points, 10 in the third quarter.
"We're pleased with the way we played defensively," said Monarchs coach John Whisenant. "That's what gives us a chance to compete in this league. When we play the way we did in the second half, we're pretty good."
Said the Monarchs' Yolanda Griffith: "Our defense is a defense that can make a lot of people upset, have headaches."
Griffith finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. In the third quarter, she grabbed her 2,000th career rebound.
Up six at the start of the second half, 39-33, the Monarchs (10-8) went on a 22-8 run that for all intents and purposes decided the game. During that span, Erin Buescher scored 10 of the Monarchs' 22 points and finished with 19.
"We have found that when we play defensively that way, it creates an energy atmosphere," Whisenant said. "Our offense is all about energy, movement.
"Erin's played well for some time. DeMya's (DeMya Walker) pregnancy -- and Rebekkah Brunson has had an ingrown toenail -- and all of those things have given Erin a lot of minutes. And she stepped up and played very well."
Before the game, the Monarchs talked specifically about slowing New York's All-Star guard, Hammon. The task fell to Penicheiro and Kristin Haynie, who did yeoman's work. Hammon finished with five points.
"We did not want to let them go. We felt like Becky's gotten into better and better condition. She runs the engine. I thought Ticha did a good job never letting Becky get into a flow. She's the Joe Montana (of the Liberty)."
Before Thursday's game, the Monarchs had played 10 games in 20 days and were admittedly tired. However, they had been in New York since Monday, resting and practicing. To a woman, the players said the days off were necessary and well-received. They did caution that every team in the league plays a tough schedule, and that it cannot be blamed for the Monarchs' recent 6-5 stretch.
"Everybody is going to have a schedule like we had. We've been in New York for three days. We could have played this one yesterday and been in Washington today," Griffith said.
"Tonight is a good start for us. We have to stay focused, and when we get these opportunities, take advantage."
By Denis Gorman -- Special To The Bee
NEW YORK -- Ticha Penicheiro had just forced Liberty guard Becky Hammon into an air ball. Kara Lawson jumped off the bench, yelling, "Great defense! Great defense!"
That scene was a snapshot of a much larger portrait, one that brought back memories of the 2005 WNBA champions.
Thursday night's 79-58 win over New York at Madison Square Garden was a return to form for the Monarchs. Sacramento's defense forced New York to take contested shots (36.4 percent shooting from the field) and 20 turnovers. In the second half, Sacramento only gave up 25 points, 10 in the third quarter.
"We're pleased with the way we played defensively," said Monarchs coach John Whisenant. "That's what gives us a chance to compete in this league. When we play the way we did in the second half, we're pretty good."
Said the Monarchs' Yolanda Griffith: "Our defense is a defense that can make a lot of people upset, have headaches."
Griffith finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. In the third quarter, she grabbed her 2,000th career rebound.
Up six at the start of the second half, 39-33, the Monarchs (10-8) went on a 22-8 run that for all intents and purposes decided the game. During that span, Erin Buescher scored 10 of the Monarchs' 22 points and finished with 19.
"We have found that when we play defensively that way, it creates an energy atmosphere," Whisenant said. "Our offense is all about energy, movement.
"Erin's played well for some time. DeMya's (DeMya Walker) pregnancy -- and Rebekkah Brunson has had an ingrown toenail -- and all of those things have given Erin a lot of minutes. And she stepped up and played very well."
Before the game, the Monarchs talked specifically about slowing New York's All-Star guard, Hammon. The task fell to Penicheiro and Kristin Haynie, who did yeoman's work. Hammon finished with five points.
"We did not want to let them go. We felt like Becky's gotten into better and better condition. She runs the engine. I thought Ticha did a good job never letting Becky get into a flow. She's the Joe Montana (of the Liberty)."
Before Thursday's game, the Monarchs had played 10 games in 20 days and were admittedly tired. However, they had been in New York since Monday, resting and practicing. To a woman, the players said the days off were necessary and well-received. They did caution that every team in the league plays a tough schedule, and that it cannot be blamed for the Monarchs' recent 6-5 stretch.
"Everybody is going to have a schedule like we had. We've been in New York for three days. We could have played this one yesterday and been in Washington today," Griffith said.
"Tonight is a good start for us. We have to stay focused, and when we get these opportunities, take advantage."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14275678p-15085241c.html
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 9:59 AM
