SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Reserve guard Kara Lawson scored 13

points, including two late 3-pointers, and the Sacramento Monarchs

beat Houston 55-45 on Sunday night, holding the Comets to the

second-lowest point total in franchise history.

The Comets scored 38 points in an 18-point loss at Phoenix on

Aug. 14, 2001.

"We preached all week that we could stop them," Monarchs coach

John Whisenant said. "Defense is what makes us an elite team."

Houston was 1-for-15 from the field over the game's opening 12

minutes while committing nine turnovers in falling behind 24-6.

The Monarchs (20-7) led by 18 points at halftime and the Comets

(15-12) got as close as 40-36 with 10:59 to play. Nicole Powell hit

a long 3 for Sacramento, her first field goal of the game, and the

Comets never got as close again.

"They're a good defensive team," said Houston's Tina Thompson,

who was 2-for-10 from the field and had six points. "We weren't

very aggressive in the first half, and when you dig a hole of 18

points, it's hard to get out."

Sheryl Swoopes and Janeth Arcain each had 10 points for Houston,

which shot 32.1 percent for the game and had 22 turnovers.

Yolanda Griffith had 10 points and six rebounds for Sacramento.

Dawn Staley, who was acquired by Houston on Aug. 1 in a trade

with Charlotte, started for the Comets for the first time,

replacing Dominique Canty, who missed the game with a knee injury.

Staley had six points and four assists in 33 minutes.