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  Thursday, Jul. 27 10:00pm ET
Sacramento still rolling, Orlando folding
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Ruthie Bolton-Holifield scored 18 of her 24 points in the second half Thursday night as the Sacramento Monarchs held on for a 73-66 win over the Orlando Miracle.

Bolton-Holifield made five 3-pointers and keyed a 9-0 run late in the game that helped Sacramento (17-10) win for the fourth time in five games.

Nykesha Sales kept the Miracle (14-12) close, making seven 3-pointers and finishing with 25 points.

It was the fourth straight loss for Orlando, which has dropped six of seven and is now tied with Cleveland for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Reserve Lady Hardmon added 16 points and Tangela Smith had 10 for Sacramento. Yolanda Griffith went scoreless in the second half and finished with nine points and 11 rebounds. Ticha Penicheiro had 13 assists.

With the game tied at 55, the Monarchs ran off nine straight points. Penicheiro put Sacramento ahead for good with a driving layup.

Bolton-Holifield followed with a jumper from the corner, Hardmon converted off the fastbreak and Bolton-Holifield made a 3-pointer, giving the Monarchs a 64-55 lead with 2:45 left.

Adrienne Johnson had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Miracle and Taj McWilliams added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Using a zone defense in the opening half, the Monarchs -- who never trailed -- led by as many as 18 points.

Sacramento had a 34-21 lead at halftime.

Orlando, which shot 8-for-34 in the opening half, made four straight 3-pointers in the second half, getting back in the game quickly. The Miracle tied the score 50-50 with 9:21 remaining on a shot from close range by McWilliams.
 


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RECAPS
Sacramento 73
Orlando 66

Los Angeles 76
Seattle 63