SAN ANTONIO, May 27 (Ticker) -- Yolanda Griffith sparked a big first half and the Sacramento Monarchs held on for a 71-67 victory over the winless San Antonio Silver Stars.

A former WNBA MVP, Griffith scored 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. She scored 10 points in the first half, when the Monarchs shot 52 percent (16-of-31) and forced 12 turnovers to open a 36-26 lead.

On-Demand Video from Monarchs-Silver Stars: Play

Sacramento never trailed in the second half. San Antonio closed to 47-43 on two free throws by Bernadette Ngoyisa with 8:38 remaining but got no closer until the waning seconds.

A free throw by Chantelle Anderson made it 59-54 with 1:51 to go. But DeMya Walker scored nine seconds later, Marie Ferdinand and Shannon Johnson combined to miss three shots on the next possession and the Monarchs made 10-of-12 free throws down the stretch.

Walker scored 13 points and Ticha Penicheiro added 11 for the Monarchs (2-0), who have won six of the last seven meetings between the teams.

Ferdinand scored 17 points and Johnson added 16 for the Silver Stars (0-3), who shot just 40 percent (19-of-47). They started 3-1 last season but finished just 9-25.