Minneapolis, MN (AHN) - A new WNBA season kicked off over the weekend, but it was the same old story for the Minnesota Lynx.

The Lynx began the season by falling to 0-2 and dropped its ninth straight against the Western Conference champion Sacramento Monarchs, 74-64.

Minnesota hasn't beaten the Monarchs since July 11, 2004.

Sacramento held the Lynx to just nine points in the second quarter while limiting Minnesota to just 31 percent shooting in the game. Sacramento also held a devastating advantage on the boards, 42-23.

Even though they posted a double-digit win, it wasn't all fun and games for the Monarchs. After taking a 13-point advantage into the break, Minnesota won the third quarter 18-10, and cut the lead down to four twice in fourth quarter.

"This time last year we probably would have given up and Sacramento would have had a 20- or 30-point lead," last season's rookie of the year Seimone Augustus said. "For us to be able to come out and fight says we are going in the right direction. I'm proud of the fight we showed."

Kara Lawson led the Monarchs with 19 points while Nicole Powell contributed 14 and DeMya Walker added 12.

Seimone Augustus led all scorers with 28 points while the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, former Duke star, Lindsey Harding, missed her first 10 shots and finished 1-for-12 for the Lynx.