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WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Mercury Misses Golden Opportunity to Move Up

by Andrew Nordmeier
August 19, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury


The Phoenix Mercury is adjusting to life without Maria Stepanova and finding it to be a little difficult. With the 6-foot-8 center going back to her native Russia, Phoenix had to shuffle its lineup.

Unfortunately for the 14-15 Mercury, the Houston Comets' lineup was steadier and three of their starters scored in double digits to power the Comets to a 77-66 win Thursday night at the Toyota Center.

Tina Thompson led all players with 20 points with a sparking 8-of-12 effort from the field. She also tied a game-high with seven rebounds. Sheryl Swoopes added 16 and Dominique Canty scored 14 more to pace 17-14 Houston.

Houston kept pace with Seattle, 76-60 winners over Minnesota, to stay a half-game behind the Storm for second place.

Phoenix trailed 35-34 at halftime but Houston opened the second half on a 15-4 run to take a lead they wouldn't give up. The key plays were a pair of Thompson three-pointers 23 seconds apart that gave Houston a nine-point lead.

Houston's lead grew to as many 16 with 8:11 left. Phoenix rallied but couldn't get any closer than nine points in the final five minutes.

Kamila Vodichkova filled in well for Stepanova and led the Mercury with 16 points and seven rebounds. Guard Anna DeForge chipped in 15, 10 of them in the first half, for the Mercury and guard Diana Taurasi added 10 in the losing effort.

The status of Phoenix's Shereka Wright is uncertain for the next game. She was carted off of the court after being down for nearly six minutes after taking a charge from Houston's Janeth Arcain with 5:24 left in the first half. Wright was taken to a local hospital for x-rays and may have suffered a concussion.

There isn't much time for the Mercury to be down about this loss. They have to face San Antonio tomorrow night at America West Arena. That showdown with last-place Silver Stars becomes even more critical now.

Notes: Phoenix played much better on the glass. Houston won the battle on the boards 33-31...The Mercury committed just a scant nine turnovers...Phoenix forward Penny Taylor was limited to just eight points...Both teams were strong on the foul line. Phoenix finished 12-of-14 while Houston went 21-of-25...Houston center Michelle Snow was ejected in the second half after picking up her second technical foul...Neither team started out shooting well; Phoenix started 3-of-15 which wasn't much better than Houston's 1-of-12 stumbling out of the gate...Attendance was 5,665.

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