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

Taylor helps Mercury outlast Storm in OT

Loss drops Seattle three games behind Phoenix

Associated Press

SEATTLE – Penny Taylor scored seven of her 18 points in overtime, including a key 3-pointer with 1:03 remaining, to lift the Phoenix Mercury to a 101-90 win over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.

Diana Taurasi scored 19 points to lead Phoenix (16-6), which has won 10 of its last 12 to take a three-game lead over Seattle in the Western Conference. Cappie Pondexter added 16 points, Temeka Johnson had 15 and Tangela Smith 14 for the Mercury, who are one of just three teams in the league with a winning road record (7-4).

Tanisha Wright scored a season-high 25 points and Camille Little had 20 to lead the Storm (12-8). Lauren Jackson added 18 points, Sue Bird had 13 and All-Star game MVP Swin Cash 12. Jackson and Cash also had 11 rebounds each.

Phoenix appeared to have the game in hand with a 74-67 lead with 6:07 left in regulation until the Storm scrambled back.

Bird converted a three-point play with 1:15 left to pull Seattle to 81-78. After a miss by the Mercury, Little hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 44.7 seconds left.

Taurasi made three of four free throws to give the Mercury an 84-81 lead with 16.2 seconds left. However, Bird tied it with a 3 with 5.6 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Referees used replays to confirm the shot was a 3-pointer.

Jackson, averaging 19.1 points per game, was held without a field goal on four attempts in the first half. Cash, second on the Storm at 12.3 points per game, had just three points in the opening half.

Wright took over the scoring load by matching her previous season high of 21 before halftime. She made 7 of 11 attempts from the floor and was 6 for 6 at the line in the half.