WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Mercury Sinks Lynx 83-69

by Andrew Nordmeier
Published on August 22, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury


The Phoenix Mercury took one step closer to the playoffs with its 83-69 Sunday night over Minnesota Lynx at America West Arena.

The Mercury (16-15) had four players in double digits led by Diana Taurasi's 17 and fellow guard Anna DeForge's 16 to lead all scorers. They helped to eliminate any chance the Lynx (14-18) had of getting to the playoffs as Minnesota was eliminated with the loss. Phoenix is above .500 for the first time since Sept. 14, 2004.

Sandora Irvin added a season-high 13 points off the bench and Kamila Vodichkova chipped in 11 in the win as the Mercury stayed a game ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks in the playoff hunt. The Sparks won a 55-50 war with Houston Sunday night.

Phoenix sits ½ game behind the Houston Comets for third in the West. The Mercury's magic number to clinch a playoff berth is two. The Mercury holds the tiebreaker over the Sparks by winning two of three head-to-head meetings.

The Mercury held an 18-point lead at the half, 42-24, thanks to 57.1% shooting from the floor. Phoenix held a 10-8 lead early but went on a 22-8 tear to crack the game wide open.

Svetlana Abrosimova rattled off eight straight points to start the second half and helped Minnesota get within 10 with 16:56 left. Unfortunately for the Lynx, Phoenix turned around and went on a 16-5 run to establish a 23-point cushion with 12:13 left. Minnesota wouldn't get closer than 20 except for when they scored 18 cosmetic points in the final four minutes.

Abrosimova and Nicole Ohlde paced Minnesota with 14 points each; Ohlde hit on 10-of-14 from the foul line in the losing effort.

The Mercury heads to Sacramento Tuesday for a showdown with the Monarchs. Phoenix closes out its regular season by hosting the Comets Thursday and heading to Seattle Saturday afternoon.

Notes: Phoenix only committed nine turnovers in the game; none in the first half. Phoenix is now 15-4 when holding opponents under 70 points and 12-3 when scoring more than 70 themselves...The Mercury moved the ball around excellently, racking up assists on 23 of the team's 31 field goals...Minnesota has lost five straight on the road and nine of its last 12 overall.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 22, 2005


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