SACRAMENTO MONARCHS | LOS ANGELES SPARKS

McHugh

Head Coach Maura McHugh
On the last play of the game: "They (the Sparks) were holding us. We were trying to go down and set a screen. We were trying to go down and set a screen and they just had a lock on us. It was set for Tangela (Smith) coming up and the other option was Yolanda (Griffith) going to the basket." "We were mentally ready to play them and we'll be mentally ready to play them the next time. It was definitely a physical game, there was a lot of holding, grabbing, and clawing. We've had a lot of games like that (physical this season. We had some ill advised fouls away from the basket down the stretch that really hurt us."

On changes for Game 2: "We're going to do a lot of the same things we did (tonight), it was only a one point game. There will be some adjustments but we?re just going to try and do some of the things we do better."

Griffith

Center Yolanda Griffith
"We played hard. We were aggressive and right there in the game. They didn't blow us out like they thought they would. We just didn't get open like we needed to. We still believe we can beat this team."

Campbell

Guard Edna Campbell
"It was definitely more physical (of a game) and more intense. You?re looking at a playoff game, the finals of the Western Conference, I'd expect it to be physical. This team (Monarchs) came ready to play."

On the Sparks interior defense: "Our inside game is a big part of our offense and the way they collapsed their defense was a factor in this game."

Bolton- Holifield

Guard Ruthie Bolton-Holifield
"In a one point game you just sit there and think about one more thing you could have done right. We put ourselves in a tough situation but we can beat LA."

LOS ANGELES SPARKS

Cooper

Head Coach Michael Cooper
"I thought this was a very well played game. I think the game was won in the first half. If you look at the stats -- these two teams are so similar. I thought our defense was up to par tonight. There were questionable times, but we made our run the first half. We held them five to six minutes without scoring, and I think that was the difference in the game."

"People talk about our defense not being good on the perimeter. I don't think we are that good of a perimeter defensive team. What we are hard at is when teams get into the paint. We've got some good people that can block the shots, and I think that's the key. We had nine blocks, but we probably changed three or four other looks."

On playing at home Sunday:
"This is post season. This is what the playoffs are all about. The past is the past. If we don't come and play like I know we can, we can lose at home like we can lose anywhere else."

Dixon

Guard Tamecka Dixon
"I thought we played really hard the last couple of days of practice. I think that helped us prepare mentally for what we were going to play physically here tonight. It was fun to be able to win the game defensively. I think we pride ourselves defensively, and we work very hard on it. So to come and win on defense felt good."

Leslie

Center Lisa Leslie
On winning the first game of the series: "It feels good. Our goal was to come in here and get a win. The Monarchs played a very tough game, but we were able to prevail."

Forward Delisha Milton
"It feels good to come in here and get a win. We knew it wasn't going to be easy. Sacramento is a great team whether they are at home or on the road. We knew the odds were against us. So this victory was a tremendous deed for us."

Milton

"We love playing at home. We finally have become acclimated in the Staple Center. It's now our home, and we are not just visiting. We had a lot of games on the road, so we really didn't get a chance to get in there and figure out the floor and the depth perception of the arena. We now have become comfortable, and we just love playing there."