Griffith, Monarchs put Sun's backs to the wall

SACRAMENTO -- When the Sacramento Monarchs seemed ready to lose their lead and their heads in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, Yolanda Griffith slid into her coach's chair during a timeout.

Whatever instructions or encouragement she barked at her teammates, they worked -- mostly because Griffith motivated herself to another big game.

Griffith had 19 points and 11 rebounds with relentless inside play, and the Monarchs moved to the brink of their first championship yesterday with a 66-55 victory over the Connecticut Sun.

Kara Lawson scored 16 points and hit six free throws in the final minute for the Monarchs, and Nicole Powell tied a WNBA Finals record with four 3-pointers. But Griffith was the difference -- and even after putting the Monarchs up, 2-1, in the best-of-five series, she was still smoldering.

''Even though we're home, [and] I know their backs are against the wall right now, even though we're up [2-1], I should be happy. Am I? I don't know," Griffith said. ''I mean, I'm just not satisfied, because I know we can play better ball . . . We're waiting for everybody to step up and bring it."

Game 4 is tomorrow night at Arco Arena, where the Monarchs hope to wrap up the best season in franchise history with a title.

Griffith's teammates largely struggled on offense with 17-of-52 shooting, but the Monarchs made just seven turnovers and survived the Sun's final rally with their signature defense, which frustrated Connecticut into 16 turnovers.

''They're disruptive [defensively], but by this point in the series, we should be able to better handle it," said Sun coach Mike Thibault.

The Monarchs opened the second half with a 15-5 run including 8 points from Griffith, and they led, 50-36, with 11 1/2 minutes to play. Connecticut rallied with 12 consecutive points in four minutes, cutting the Monarchs' lead to 55-53 with 4:18 left.

But Griffith snapped her club's five-minute scoreless spell with a layup, and Sacramento finished on a 9-0 run.