WNBA: Taylor scores big as Mercury rise over Storm

Penny Taylor scored a season-high 32 points to lead the Phoenix Mercury to an 89-79 victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night in Phoenix.

She scored 22 points in the first half and added five more and an assist in the Mercury’s 19-4 run to start the third quarter to help Phoenix open up a 64-45 lead with 5:20 left.

Lauren Jackson had 33 points and 11 rebounds for the Storm, who have lost three of their last four games and fell a game behind Phoenix for third place in the WNBA’s Western Conference.

Sun 84, Lynx 79: At Uncasville, Conn., Katie Douglas scored 15 of her 22 points in the second half to lead the Sun to a victory over Minnesota.

Lindsay Whalen added 20 points to give Connecticut its fourth consecutive victory.

Silver Stars 63, Sparks 61: At Los Angeles, Becky Hammon scored 25 points and Sophia Young added 17 to lead San Antonio past the Sparks.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin led Los Angeles with 14 points and Sydney Spencer and reserve Sherril Baker each scored 10.