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Monarchs stay alive, force decisive Game Three

Sep 21, 2008 - 3:37 AM 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 on Saturday.

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.