Charlotte N.C. ? Andrea Stinson didn’t care that the Charlotte Sting blew a 16-point lead — finishing strong was all that mattered.

Allison Feaster and Shalonda Enis each scored 19 points Saturday as Charlotte beat the Sacramento Monarchs, 67-65.

The Sting (10-6) grabbed two key offensive rebounds in the final seconds to preserve the win.

With Charlotte ahead 66-65, Tammy Sutton-Brown rebounded Feaster’s miss and Dawn Staley was fouled with 5.8 seconds left. Staley made the first free throw and missed the second, but Stinson rebounded and the Sting ran out the clock.

“We wanted it more,” Stinson said. “It’s a matter of wanting it and wanting to finish the game strong.”

Yolanda Griffith scored 17 points while Ticha Penicheiro added 13 for Sacramento (7-10), which rallied to take a second-half lead before losing on the road for the second straight night.

“It’s truly a heartbreaker,” Griffith said. “I thought we were capable of coming back, but I couldn’t get the rebound at the end.”

Feaster’s jumper capped a 9-0 run to start the second half, giving Charlotte a 48-37 lead. The Sting pushed the lead to 56-40 on Enis’ three-pointer with 15:57 left.

The Monarchs rallied with defense, holding Charlotte to one field goal over nearly 11 minutes. Griffith scored six straight points in a 22-3 spurt, and DeMya Walker’s two free throws gave Sacramento a 62-59 lead with 6:37 to play.

Charlotte responded with seven straight points to retake the lead. The Monarchs cut it to one on Ruthie Bolton’s free throw with 51 seconds left, but they couldn’t overtake Charlotte a second time.

“You have to remember we just played less than 24 hours ago,” Sacramento coach Maura McHugh said. “I thought our effort was terrific.

“It’s always sad when you can’t get a break. At the end of the game, we needed to get that rebound.”

Stinson scored 12 points, and Sutton-Brown finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte.

Comets 76, Mystics 54

Houston — Sheryl Swoopes scored 23 points, and Tina Thompson added 18. The Comets (9-7) have won four of five at the end of a six-game homestand. Washington (2-12) has lost nine straight since posting its last win, a 79-72 victory over San Antonio June 10. The Mystics have not won on the road since opening night.

Chamique Holdsclaw led the Mystics with 18 points and nine rebounds.

Washington fell to 1-9 against the Comets. The Mystics have never won in Houston.

Rockers 79, Lynx 71

Minneapolis — Deanna Jackson scored a career-high 30 points as the Cleveland Rockers ended a five-game road losing streak.

Jackson, who had been averaging seven points per game, made 11 of 14 shots, including four three-pointers. Her previous career high was 19, set last week against Indiana.

Katie Smith led the Lynx with 21 points.

Stars 81, Mercury 70

San Antonio — Gwen Jackson had 15 points and 10 rebounds as San Antonio snapped a three-game losing streak.

Marie Ferdinand added 16 points for the Silver Stars (6-10), who had four starters in double figures.

Sparks 84, Storm 75

Los Angeles — Lisa Leslie had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Kansas University product Tamecka Dixon scored 21 as Los Angeles beat Seattle.

All five starters finished in double figures for Los Angeles (13-3). DeLisha Milton had 15 points, Mwadi Mabika added 13, and Nikki Teasley scored 12.