Saturday's Women's National Basketball Association Capsules

Sep 21, 2008 - 3:43 AM By PA SportsTicker

CONNECTICUT 73, NEW YORK 70 ---------------------------

UNCASVILLE, Connecticut (Ticker) -- The Connecticut Sun are alive in their Eastern Conference semifinal series - barely.

Asjha Jones scored 16 points as the Sun survived a fourth-quarter scare to force a decisive Game Three with a 73-70 victory over the New York Liberty.

Lindsay Whalen scored 15 points for the Sun, who suffered a 72-63 loss to Liberty in the opening game of the best-of-three series Thursday. Game Three will be here Monday.

New York outscored Connecticut, 21-11, in the final period but was stymied when Tamika Whitmore nailed two free throws in the final 30 seconds to preserve the victory.

Using a desperate run to try and close out the series, the Liberty cut their deficit to 71-70 with 1:16 left. New York sank six 3-pointers in the fourth after trailing, 62-49, entering the final period.

It was a good day all around for the Sun, who saw coach Mike Thibault win the WNBA Coach of Year Award earlier Saturday. Thibault also claimed the honor in 2006 and became the third coach to do so multiple times.

Loree Moore scored 16 points for New York.

SACRAMENTO 84, SAN ANTONIO 67 -----------------------------

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Crystal Kelly scored 19 points and Nicole Powell had 17 as the Sacramento Monarchs surprisingly cruised to an 84-67 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars in Game Two of the Western Conference semifinals.

Ticha Penicheiro had 12 points and nine assists for the Monarchs, who shot 59 percent (34-of-58) from the field.

Game Three will take place here on Monday.

The top-seeded Silver Stars had won their last six contests, including Game One, but struggled in front of the home crowd.

Sacramento had a 22-19 lead after one quarter and extended the advantage to nine at the break.

The Monarchs used a 9-4 spurt to begin the second half and took a 57-43 lead with 6:33 left in the third. The Silver Stars never got closer than 11 the rest of the way.

Becky Hammon scored 14 points to lead San Antonio, which made just 4-of-16 from the arc.