Storm upend Mercury for third consecutive win

Janell Burse scored 21 points and Lauren Jackson added 12 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Seattle Storm past the Phoenix Mercury 78-67 Thursday night in Phoenix.

The Storm (3-1) went on a 16-5 run early in the second half to open a 15-point lead. Phoenix never got closer than seven the rest of the night.

Sue Bird added 17 points and six assists, and Betty Lennox scored 14 for the Storm, who won their third consecutive game.

Burse, who averaged five points a game last season and seven a game so far in 2005, was 8 of 11 from the field.

Diana Taurasi led the Mercury (1-4) with 27 points and five assists.

Silver Stars 69, Sting 62: At San Antonio, San Antonio got its first victory of the season as reserve rookie center Katie Feenstra scored 11 of her 16 points in the second half, leading the Stars over Charlotte.