WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Monarchs Squeak Past Mercury, 77-72

by Andrew Nordmeier
Published on May 23, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury


The Phoenix Mercury, missing three starters from its lineup, nearly overcame a slow start but fell just short against the Sacramento Monarchs 77-72 Saturday night in the season opener for both teams at America West Arena.

Phoenix played without Plenette Pierson (strained quadriceps), as well as Penny Taylor and Kamila Vodichkova are still playing abroad. Taylor's team is in the Italian League finals while Vodichkova took some time away from the game after the Euroleague campaign ended in late April.

Phoenix also suffered from poor shooting from the field, finishing 18-of-60 for the game including 7-of-22 from three-point range. The only thing that kept the Mercury close was a sizzling performance on the free-throw line. Phoenix hit 29-of-36 foul shots to stay within striking distance of Sacramento.

The Mercury rallied in the final four minutes of the game with a pair of Belinda Snell three-point bombs to bring Phoenix within three at 68-65 with 1:57 left. Unfortunately, the Mercury kept sending the Monarchs to the free-throw line and Sacramento hit its foul shots late to take the win.

"That is typical Mercury basketball," Phoenix guard Anna DeForge said about the rally, "We drew some fouls and had some shots fall. It opened up things for the threes."

Without those three mainstays in action, the Mercury fell into a big hole in the first half.

With the game tied at 12-12, Sacramento went on a 7-0 run to start to pull away. Although Phoenix tried to rally back, the Monarchs outscored the Mercury 24-13 over a nine-minute span to establish an 11-point edge.

"I think we dug ourselves a massive hole in the first half with our pitiful execution offensively," Phoenix head coach Carrie Graf said, "it put us in a hole we found it hard to get out of. We were a disaster in the first half."

Phoenix guards Diana Taurasi and DeForge led all players with 20 points each but both had weak shooting nights from the field. DeForge went 5-of-16 while Taurasi was slightly better at 6-of-18.

Sacramento had very balanced scoring as Nicole Powell and DeMya Walker each scored 13 points in the win while Yolanda Griffith and Ticha Penicheiro chipped in 11 each.

The second half wasn't much better for Phoenix as they didn't get within nine points until midway through the half. Just as soon as Sacramento's lead was cut down, the Monarchs bounced back and restored a double-digit edge until the late surge.

Up next for the Mercury is a three-game road trip at Indiana (Tuesday), Charlotte (Thursday) and Connecticut (Saturday).

"Indiana is a must-win game for us," Taurasi said.

Notes: Sacramento dominated the inside game and outscored Phoenix 32-12 in the paint...The only time Phoenix led in the game was after DeForge hit a three-pointer to open the scoring...The Monarchs' bench outscored the Mercury's 29-19...Sacramento is 9-1 in its last 10 against Phoenix...The Mercury hasn't won on opening night since 2000 and is 4-5 all-time in season openers.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 23, 2005


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