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Monarchs-Mystics Preview

Jul 25, 2009 - 10:14 PM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Sacramento (4-14) at Washington (8-7), 4:00 p.m. EDT

After ending a dismal first half on a positive note, the Sacramento Monarchs seem confident they can turn things around. Facing the Washington Mystics could help.

The visiting Monarchs look for a ninth straight victory over the Mystics on Sunday when the WNBA resumes play after a brief All-Star break.

Little went right for Sacramento (4-14) prior to the league's two-day break this weekend. The club's lowest point came when coach Jenny Boucek was fired and replaced by general manager and former coach John Whisenant on July 12.

The Monarchs, who won a WNBA title in 2005 and appeared in the finals in 2006 under Whisenant, snapped their second six-game losing streak of the season with an 88-73 win at New York on Thursday to give their new coach his first win.

All-Star Nicole Powell scored a career-high 32 and recorded nine rebounds for Sacramento, which shot 59.3 percent and showed signs of potential for a strong second half.

"We played like we have a chance to make the playoffs," said Whisenant, whose team owns the worst record in the league and is 4 1/2 games out of the final postseason spot in the Western Conference.

Having won in Sacramento before, Whisenant hopes to do it again by relying on veterans like Powell (team-high 16.2 points per game), Kara Lawson, Ticha Penicheiro, DeMya Walker and Kara Lawson to pace a possible second-half resurgence.

"He brings that confidence to us and that is when we do well," said Walker, who had 13 points and nine rebounds versus New York. "With some more practice, we should do well. ... It's better to be on this side than losing."

Washington (8-7), third in the East, hasn't beat Sacramento since a 67-63 victory at home Sept. 27, 2004. The Monarchs lead 17-3 in the all-time series.

Powell, who had 21 points in the West's 130-118 All-Star game win Saturday, averaged 18.5 in the Monarchs' two victories over Washington last season that were decided by a combined nine points.

All-Star Alana Beard averaged 24.0 points in those contests for the Mystics. She scored 14 on Saturday for the East.

Washington improved to 3-2 during a six-game home stretch with a 75-64 win over Chicago on Thursday. Crystal Langhorne had 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Mystics moved within two victories of matching their total from 2008.

"That's just really exciting for our team," said Langhorne, a second-year forward. "(Management) made a lot of changes, improved the team a lot and now it's showing."

These teams conclude their season series at Sacramento on Aug. 22.