WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Mercury Gives Houston a Problem 80-75

by Andrew Nordmeier
Published on August 6, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury


One month ago the Phoenix Mercury was 3-11, missing three starters, and was essentially left for dead in the jungle of the WNBA. After Friday night's win over the Houston Comets, the hunted have become the hunters.

The Mercury had four starters score in double digits and overcame the absence of Anna DeForge from the lineup due to an ankle injury to get an 80-75 win and get within a game of the break-even point.

Diana Taurasi led all scorers with 27 points and added nine rebounds and eight assists, finishing just shy of a triple-double. Eleven of her points came from the free-throw line and Phoenix as a team went 24-of-32 from the stripe.

""It was lead by a superhuman effort by Taurasi," Phoenix Mercury head Coach Carrie Graf said, "Her line was just superb. She led the charge for us."

Penny Taylor, making the switch from forward to guard to replace DeForge, added 17. Center Kamila Vodichkova added 16 and forward Maria Stepanova 14 in the win.

Phoenix (12-13) has won nine of its last 11 games to come roaring back from the depths of the Western Conference and sit just a half game behind Los Angeles (12-12) for the final playoff spot. Los Angeles squeaked past San Antonio 66-63 and the Mercury had to squeak by Houston.

"I think everyone forgot about us after that horrendous, horrible, disgusting start," Taurasi said, "Now we're trying to find ourselves and get back in the race."

Phoenix led 68-56 with 4:30 left and seemed to be on cruise control. The Comets (15-11) had other ideas as they went on a 16-6 run to close to within two points at 74-72 with 41.4 seconds left. Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoopes keyed the rally by scoring 11 of the 16 points.

Nursing a 74-72 lead, Stepanova hit a lay-up to give Phoenix a four-point lead with 27.3 seconds left. The Comets came back down the floor and a 14-foot jumper from Swoopes was too strong. Stepanova grabbed the critical rebound for the Mercury.

Taurasi was fouled shortly after and went to the line for two shots as both teams were in the penalty. Taurasi hit both of them to give herself 27 points on the night and put Phoenix up six.

Houston responded with a Dawn Staley three-pointer to make it 78-75 with 8.6 seconds left but Staley Taylor giving her a chance to close out the game. Taylor hit both of her free throws to make the final score.

Thompson and Swoopes led Houston with 18 each while Janeth Arcain added 17. Thirteen of Swoopes' points came in the second half. Houston played without center Michele Snow who was suspended for one game. Snow threw a punch at a Detroit player in a recent game.

Phoenix has a week off before its next game, August 12th against the Western Conference leading Sacramento Monarchs. Tip-off is at 7pm at America West Arena and the Mercury is looking forward to some rest.

"We're banged up. Taurasi needs the break. DeForge with the ankle needs it." Graf said, "Penny's been logging big minutes and hopefully Shereka Wright will be back for us. Then we have nine games in 16 days which is going to be big for us."

Notes: Phoenix is 9-3 when scoring over 70 points this season...DeForge's absence from the starting lineup broke her streak of 84 straight starts; Lisa Harrison got the start in her place-her first start since August 23, 2003...The season series between these two teams is tied at 1-1...Phoenix won the battle in the paint 28-26 and outrebounded Houston 43-40...Houston started the game on a 6-0 run that Phoenix erased with a 16-2 burst of its own; Phoenix never trailed after that point...Attendance was 7,731.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 6, 2005


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