Monarchs win finals rematch

Although the playoffs are a month away, it felt like a postseason game Saturday afternoon at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

Yolanda Griffith scored 21 points, leading the Sacramento Monarchs to a 69-63 win over the Connecticut Sun in a rematch of last year’s WNBA finals.

The game featured 14 lead changes and 13 ties.

The last time the teams met at Arco Arena, the Monarchs won Game 4 of the finals, beating the Sun for their first WNBA championship.

“They have been strong the last two years in a row and made the finals last year, so it’s always going to be intense when we play them,” said Griffith.

Sting 75, Fever 65: At Charlotte, N.C., Tangela Smith scored 17 points as Charlotte beat Indiana to post consecutive wins for the first time this season.

Tammy Sutton-Brown added 13 points and nine rebounds and Kelly Mazzante scored 10 points for the Sting, who last won two straight on Aug. 23-25. “It makes basketball fun – and sleep a lot better too,” Sutton-Brown said.