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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hot Mercury notch sixth straight win


Taurasi
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Diana Taurasi scored 24 points to lead the Phoenix Mercury to an 84-79 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars on Thursday night at San Antonio, extending their winning streak to six games.

Taurasi hit six 3-pointers and scored 19 points in the second half when Phoenix overcame a 45-38 deficit to take the season series between the teams 3-1 and open a one-game lead over the Silver Stars in the Western Conference.

Cappie Pondexter added 18 points for Phoenix, while Kelly Miller and Tangela Smith both had 12.

Shanna Crossley led the Silver Stars with a career-high 21 points, all on 3-pointers. She was 7 for 13 from beyond the arc.

Shophia Young added 17 points, Becky Hammon 13 and Ruth Riley had 11 points with nine rebounds for San Antonio.

Taurasi hit three consecutive 3-pointers during an 11-1 run to close the third quarter that gave Phoenix a 62-59 lead. Kelly Mazzante’s 3-pointer with 6:17 to go gave the Mercury a 76-64 lead.

The Silver Stars cut the lead to 81-79 on a 3-pointer by Crossley with 1:48 left. Her 3-point attempt to tie the game with 4 seconds left bounced off the rim.

Liberty 71, Lynx 66: At New York, Erin Thorn made three free throws in the final 16.3 seconds to help New York beat Minnesota and snap a season-high, seven-game losing streak

Cathrine Kraayeveld scored 16 points and Janel McCarville added 14 as New York moved within a half-game of fourth-place Chicago, the playoff cutoff in the Eastern Conference.

Seimone Augustus had 17 points, and Svetlana Abrosimova added 14 for the Lynx, who dropped to 0-20 when behind after three quarters.

Minnesota trailed by 17 late in the third quarter.