Sky Drop Monarchs in Home Opener

Sky 87, Monarchs 77

CHICAGO -- Armintie Price scored a career-high 22 points and the Chicago Sky won their home opener, 87-77 over the Sacramento Monarchs on Thursday night.

Price, who received her 2007 Rookie of the Year award before the game, added four assists and three steals.

Candice Dupree had 22 points, four assists and three steals for Chicago (1-1). Dominique Canty scored 14, while rookie Sylvia Fowles had 11 points and seven rebounds for the Sky.

Rebekkah Brunson had 16 points for Sacramento (1-2), which committed 21 turnovers, giving the Monarchs 45 in the last two games.

Kara Lawson scored 13 points while Nicole Powell and Ticha Penicheiro both added 12 for the Monarchs.

Sacramento used a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to five with six minutes left in the final quarter but Chicago responded with consecutive baskets from Jia Perkins and Price for a 71-62 lead.

The Monarchs were down seven after Powell hit a 3-pointer but layups from Price and Chasity Melvin gave Chicago a 77-66 lead with 2:14 remaining.

The Sky had a 42-33 halftime lead, thanks to a dominating second-quarter performance by Fowles. The second overall pick of the 2008 draft asserted herself on both ends of the court when she blocked Laura Harper's shot and converted a layup on the other end.

On the following possession, Fowles stole the ball and found a streaking Price for a layup to put the Sky up 26-20 with 7:40 left in the quarter. Fowles had four points, three blocks, two steals and three rebounds in the quarter.