The Lynx dropped a close one to Sacramento yesterday before a sparse crowd. "They don't get any more heartbreaking, " coach McConnell Serio said.

A Yo Griffith layup gave the Monarchs a one-point lead with 25 seconds to go. Katie turned the ball over, but Nicole Powell missed two free throws. Ohlde then made a layup out of a Lynx set as the buzzer sounded. Initially the basket counted; fans thought Minnesota had won. Bryan Enterline reviewed the tape and decided otherwise: Monarchs 67, Lynx 66. Ticha: "To me it looked good.... We got away with one."

The Monarchs took the lead with a 17-0 run near the end of the first half. Minnesota outrebounded the Monarchs, but Sacramento scored far more in the paint-- the Lynx relied on perimeter shooters; Katie had 23, Yo 18, Walker 15, Stacey Lovelace 10.