The Silver Stars had opportunities to win at Sacramento and move up in the standings, but it didn't play out that way.
With two of their starters, Gwen Jackson (foot sprain) and Adrienne Goodson (calf strain) sidelined, LaQuanda Quick came off the bench to hit six 3-pointers on her way to a career-high 22 points. But the problem that has plagued the Silver Stars all season -- turnovers -- led to their demise.
The Silver Stars committed 25 turnovers, tying their season-high and totaling 50 turnovers in their last two games. Sacramento's Ticha Penicheiro swiped a WNBA-record 10 steals to go along with her 11 assists. And when the Monarchs weren't forcing the miscues, San Antonio just couldn't handle the ball.
"We got a lot of unforced turnovers early in the game," said Silver Stars guard Marie Ferdinand. "We were kicking the ball off our legs and there were all kinds of cuckoo things going on."
"They are unforced turnovers," San Antonio head coach Candi Harvey said. "There is no rhyme or reason to them."
This is a growing frustration for Harvey and her team. The Silver Stars have been turnover plagued for most of the season. San Antonio averages 16.6 turnovers per game -- second most in the league, while only averaging 12.6 assists -- by far the worst in the league. Veteran point guard Jennifer Azzi is averaging only 3.5 assists and 6.6 points -- both career-lows.
The one positive for the Silver Stars on Thursday afternoon was the play of Quick, who had scored only 12 points total over the entire season prior to the game. Quick attributed her hot shooting to the early start.
"I felt really good and I think it had something to do with the time," Quick said of the 1:30 p.m. tipoff. "We usually practice at this time, and I hit my shots in practice."
Sacramento had five players in double figures, lead by Edna Campbell with 18 points.
San Antonio will now have time to regroup over the All-Star break. Center Margo Dydek and shooting guard Marie Ferdinand will represent the Silver Stars on the Western Conference All-Star team while the rest of the squad prepares for the second half of the season.
The Silver Stars next game takes place on Wednesday July 16 on the road against the Minnesota Lynx.
