Monarchs Win in OT to Keep Pace in West

Yolanda Griffith had 16 points, 12 rebounds and a crucial steal as the Sacramento Monarchs beat the Phoenix Mercury, 65-61, in overtime Saturday night in front of 10,203 fans at Phoenix.

Kara Lawson had 13 points and Edna Campbell and Tangela Smith scored 12 each for the Monarchs (17-14), who remained tied with the Minnesota Lynx for the fourth and final Western Conference playoff slot. They are percentage points behind third-place Seattle (16-13).

Griffith stole Edwina Brown’s inbound pass with 13 seconds left, preserving a 63-61 lead.

Phoenix is 7-24.

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Minnesota 73, San Antonio 64 -- Katie Smith scored 17 points and Tamika Williams had 13 as the Lynx (17-14) won in front of 11,890 fans at San Antonio.

Adrienne Goodsen scored 20 points for San Antonio (11-20).

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Connecticut 84, New York 71 -- Nykesha Sales scored 22 points for the Sun (15-15) in a victory in front of 13,431 fans at New York.

The victory moved the Sun a half-game behind third-place Cleveland in the East with four to play. New York (13-16) is in sixth place.

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Cleveland 72, Washington 68 -- Penny Taylor scored 16 points and LaToya Thomas added 14 as the Rockers (15-14) won in front of 12,016 fans at Washington.

Cleveland led by as many as 14 points in the first half, but Washington (9-22) rallied early in the second and led, 62-61, with 5:08 to play.

The Rockers moved back in front, taking a 72-68 lead with 7.6 seconds left.

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Indiana 69, Charlotte 63 -- Natalie Williams scored 15 points and tied a franchise record with 17 rebounds for Indiana (14-16) in front of 7,240 fans at Indianapolis.

Williams joined Minnesota’s Smith as the only women in U.S. professional basketball history with 4,000 points.

Charlotte is 16-14.