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Newton helps Monarchs keep Comets winless

Jun 17, 2007 - 4:48 AM SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- Chelsea Newton scored a career-high 17 points and veteran Yolanda Griffith added 13 as the Sacramento Monarchs defeated the winless Houston Comets, 75-63, on Saturday.

Rebekkah Brunson had 12 points and seven rebounds and reserve Scholanda Robinson scored 10 for Sacramento (7-3), which beat Houston on Monday and has won five of its last six.

Houston (0-10) is off to the second-worst start in league history. The Detroit Shock set the WNBA record by opening the 2002 season 0-13.

Newton, who was traded back to the Monarchs in March after played her second season in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky, connected on 5-of-7 from the floor. She was a rookie member of the 2005 WNBA champions before being selected in the 2006 WNBA expansion draft.

Sacramento, which shot 42 percent (25-of-60), trailed, 30-26, at halftime before an 8-0 run at the end of the third quarter gave the Monarchs a 47-40 lead entering the final period.

Tina Thompson scored 24 points and Hamchetou Maiga-Ba had 12 points and five assists for the Comets, who shot 48 percent (24-of-50).