SEATTLE — Nicole Powell scored 28 points and the Sacramento Monarchs beatthe Seattle Storm 78-74 Tuesday night to move within one game of first place inthe Western Conference.

Powell, coming off a career-high 29 points in a loss to Minnesota on Sunday,scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Storm cut a 13-point deficit to71-70, but Powell hit a 3-pointer with a minute left and made four free throwsin the final 16 seconds to hold on.

Yolanda Griffith added 13 points and eight rebounds for Sacramento (15-10),which is one game behind San Antonio and Phoenix. The win moved the Monarchsthree games ahead of Seattle (13-14) for third place.

Lauren Jackson had 30 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks to leadSeattle. Jackson, who averaged 34.3 points in her previous three games, had 10points in the fourth quarter but Seattle lost its second consecutive home game.

Seattle’s Sue Bird scored 10 of her 12 points in the final quarter, butmissed a 15-footer that could have tied the game at 74 with 20 seconds left.

The Monarchs started the second half with a 9-0 run to lead 52-39 beforeJackson scored on a three-point play. Jackson scored eight of Seattle’s 11points in the third quarter as the Storm shot 4-for-15 from the field.

Powell and Griffith combined for 13 points in the third quarter. Powell madeher third 3-pointer of the game as the Monarchs led 62-50 at the end of thequarter.

Sacramento made four 3-pointers in an 18-4 run in the first half that turnedan eight-point deficit into a 29-23 lead. The Monarchs led 43-39 at halftime.

The teams play again Friday at Sacramento.

Jackson missed an 81-72 loss at Sacramento in June because of illness.