Things seemed bleak for the Houston Comets when they lost forward Tina Thompson to a finger injury almost two weeks ago. Thanks to the emergence of Sancho Lyttle, the club hasn't missed a beat.

Lyttle looks to continue her strong play in place of Thompson as the Comets go for their eighth win in 10 games when they host the Sacramento Monarchs on Saturday.

Thompson fractured the tip of her left ring finger during a game against San Antonio on June 24. Though the five-time All-Star returned and made a 13-foot jumper with 1.2 seconds remaining to give Houston an 82-81 victory, she's missed the Comets' last four games and is listed as day-to-day.

While the Comets (8-9) are eager for their leading scorer and rebounder to get back on the court, they've found an effective replacement in Lyttle. The 6-foot-4 center, who averaged 3.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 8.6 minutes off the bench before Thompson's injury, is averaging 15.5 points and 11.0 boards in her four starts.

"I am learning more and more every day, and when (Thompson) comes back, the coaches will have a great 1-2 punch," Lyttle said.

Comets coach Karleen Thompson may have a hard time sending Lyttle back to a reserve role after her most recent performance. The fourth-year pro out of the University of Houston had 15 points and a career-high 18 rebounds as Houston beat Atlanta 72-65 on Thursday night.

"I just wanted to go in and grab every rebound tonight," said Lyttle, who added two steals and two blocks. "If I can get it, I am going to get it. That is my main focus as my minutes continue to increase."

Lyttle's success has helped Houston win seven of nine after a 1-7 start. That surge has pulled the Comets into a tie with the Monarchs (8-9) for last place in the tightly packed Western Conference - three games behind first-place San Antonio.

The Monarchs had won two in a row before a 68-67 loss to San Antonio on Thursday. Known for their defensive intensity, they were outscored 16-8 in the fourth quarter and gave up a winning three-point play with 5.5 seconds remaining.

"We put ourselves in a position to win with our defense and that's all you can ask for on the road," Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek said. "(But) our defense let us down ... as we needed one of those (late) stops. That's what we pride ourselves on and we didn't get it tonight."

Sacramento guard Kara Lawson missed the game with a sore left shoulder and is day-to-day.

"Kara is a huge piece of what we do and she's huge in the clutch, no question," Boucek said. "With her, we're a lot harder team to beat."

Lawson was one of five Monarchs to score in double figures in Sacramento's 73-66 home win over Houston on May 30.