AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – In a game that featured five technicals and the ejection of Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer, Nicole Powell scored 17 points to lead the Sacramento Monarchs to an 80-63 win over the Shock on Friday night.

Laimbeer was ejected for arguing a call with 3:49 left in the first half. He received a pair of technicals for protesting what he thought was a foul by a Sacramento player in front of the Shock bench.

Yolanda Griffith scored 15 points and reserve Rebekkah Brunson had a career-high 14 for the Western Conference-leading Monarchs (11-4).

DeMya Walker, who averages a team-leading 14.8 points for Sacramento, left the game with a right knee injury early in the second half. Walker finished with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Ticha Penicheiro added 10 points and six assists.

for the Monarchs.

Newcomer Plenette Pierson, acquired by Detroit in a trade Wednesday with the Phoenix Mercury, had 22 points and Deanna Nolan added 14 for the Shock.

Detroit was lethargic from the opening tip, committing 15 turnovers in the first half. But the Shock shot 10-of-20 from the floor to trail just 38-31 at the break.

The Monarchs never relinquished the lead, and Detroit trailed by as many as 14 points midway through the second half.

Sacramento coach John Whisenant got the first technical with 9:18 in the first half for arguing with an official. Detroit’s Cheryl Ford, who had eight points and 12 rebounds, received a technical with 18:08 left in the second half. Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn got a technical in the final minute.

Laimbeer’s early exit marked the third time he has been ejected in four seasons as coach.

AP-ES-07-01-05 2258EDT

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