SACRAMENTO, Calif.(AP) - Nicole Powell scored 22 points, Rebekkah Brunson had 17 leading the Sacramento Monarchs to an 86-65 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars on Thursday night in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series.

Game 2 in the best-of-three series is in San Antonio on Saturday.

Sacramento took control in a one-sided third quarter, holding San Antonio scoreless for nearly five minutes during a 13-2 run.

Sophia Young scored 20 points for the Silver Stars, who got off to a rough start in the franchise's first playoff appearance since the erstwhile Utah Starzz moved to San Antonio after the 2002 season.

Hammon, the WNBA's fifth-leading scorer, had 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting for the Silver Stars, who have lost four straight dating back to the regular season. Hammon was visibly frustrated as she struggled to escape the Monarchs' defense, managing just five points in the first half.

The clubs had remarkably similar regular seasons, splitting their four-game season series and finishing one game apart in the conference standings. Both clubs were known for their sturdy defense. San Antonio has a one-two scoring punch lacked by the Monarchs, who have years of playoff experience over the newcomers.

Sacramento blew its 13-point first-half lead, but went to halftime up 38-34. San Antonio opened the second half with seven straight missed shots and six turnovers before Young scored their first basket with 5:03 left in the quarter.

Star of the Game
Sophia Young	20 POINTS
	8 REBOUNDS
	6-12 FG