Monarchs Hand Comets a Costly Loss
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HOUSTON — Tangela Smith scored 17 points as the Sacramento Monarchs handed the Houston Comets their first home loss in 13 games with a 61-59 victory Saturday.
It was a key loss for the Comets, who fell a half-game behind the Sparks in the race for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Houston (23-8) has one game remaining, and L.A. (23-7) has two left. The Comets own the tiebreaker over the Sparks.
The Monarchs (13-17), already eliminated from postseason consideration, have won 10 of 12 and three in a row on the road.
Sheryl Swoopes scored 32 points, 18 in the first half, to lead the Comets.
“It was definitely a physical game,” Swoopes said. “I don’t think we expected it to be that physical.”
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