Can the Monarchs be saved in Bay Area?

Sacramento’s Maloof brothers — among the biggest backers of the WNBA since its inception — cited growing financial issues with the Kings for folding the Monarchs. The league quickly began speaking to interested parties in Oakland for possibly relocating the franchise.

Moore headlines Naismith preseason watch list

Reigning women’s Naismith Trohy winner Maya Moore of Connecticut is one of 39 players named to the 2009-10 preseason watch list Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Battleships passing in the night

Tennessee and UConn were in the same building in San Antonio as the rivalry that isn’t took up most of the oxygen in the wake of two uneventful games.

Delle Donne nets 19 in college debut

The Delaware freshman had a strong floor game in her first college game against St. Francis of Pa., which took place a little more than a year she left Connecticut.

DePaul to name court after Doug Bruno

The longtime Blue Demons women’s coach was surprised at a fundraising dinner with the news that the court at McGrath Arena will bear his name.

Debunking the Griner dunking mania

Clay Kallam throws water on the idea that Baylor freshman Brittney Griner’s throwdown dunks and shot-blocking will revolutionize the entire women’s game.

Virginia’s Ryan gets 700th win

It was a struggle, but Virginia coach Debbie Ryan’s team kicked off the season by making her the seventh active NCAA Division I women’s coach to win 700 games in Friday’s season opener.

Dayton upsets Michigan State

Dayton’s ambitious start to the season created a major upset on the first day of the women’s college season when the Flyers knocked off No. 10 Michigan State. Next up: NCAA runnerup Louisville.

Standing tall at Michigan State

As senior Alyssa DeHaan is set to break the NCAA blocked shots record this season, coach Suzie Merchant signed her likely successor, 6-foot-7 Madison Williams, and two other top in-state recruits.

Chiney Ogwumike picks Stanford

It’s not a surprise that the nation’s top-rated prospect will join her sister next fall at Stanford, but the 6-foot-2 Chiney Ogwumike of Houston made the Cardinal, UConn and Notre Dame wait until the second day of the early signing period.