20070706/SACMIN
Powell Leads Monarchs to Win Over Lynx

Sacramento 85, Minnesota 80

MINNEAPOLIS, July 6 (AP) -- Nicole Powell scored a season-high 21 points, including the go-ahead basket, and the Sacramento Monarchs held off the Minnesota Lynx 85-80 on Friday night.

Rebekkah Brunson added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Monarchs, who have won 11 straight over the Lynx. Sacramento hasn't lost to Minnesota since an 83-73 overtime defeat July 11, 2004.

The Monarchs improved their Western Conference-leading record to 12-6.

Seimone Augustus scored 23 points for the Lynx, who lost their third straight game. Nicole Ohlde added 21 points and eight rebounds as Minnesota fell to 0-3 against Sacramento this season.

The Monarchs hadn't played since beating the Lynx 78-68 on Sunday in Sacramento.

Kristin Haynie's short jumper gave the Monarchs a 68-57 lead with 7:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Lynx rallied back.

Augustus' baseline floater tied the score at 76 with 1:45 left. Powell, though, responded with a 10-foot bank shot with 1:21 remaining to give Sacramento the lead for good at 78-76.

The game was played at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. The Target Center - the Lynx's usual home building - was undergoing preparations for a Prince concert Saturday.

It was the first regular-season home game in Lynx history played outside of the Target Center.