Kahleah Copper rang up 34 factors, together with an enormous 3-pointer with 21.8 seconds to play, because the visiting Phoenix Mercury held off the struggling Dallas Wings 104-96 on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
The Mercury (10-10) snapped a two-game dropping streak by taking cost of the sport early within the second quarter, constructing an enormous lead and preventing off a Dallas rally. Phoenix led by 13 factors at halftime and by 61-43 after a three-point play by Brittney Griner within the opening minute after the break earlier than Dallas closed to inside seven heading into the fourth quarter.
The Wings reduce their deficit to 97-94 on a putback layup by Natasha Howard with 2:19 left and to 99-96 after a pair of free throws by Arike Ogunbowale 25 seconds later. However Phoenix by no means let the Wings get nearer, with two free throws by Natasha Cloud with 6.7 seconds remaining clinching the win.
Griner added 24 factors whereas Diana Taurasi had 16, Rebecca Allen scored 14 factors and Cloud had 11 factors and 10 assists for Phoenix.
Howard scored a season-high 36 factors and took 11 rebounds to steer the Wings (4-16), which misplaced their third straight recreation and 14th of their final 15 outings. Ogunbowale scored 26 factors, and Odyssey Sims hit for 13 for Dallas.
Griner’s jumper on the 6:48 mark of the primary quarter gave the Mercury their first lead at 8-6. Phoenix expanded its result in 5 factors when Allen canned a 3-pointer halfway by way of the interval after which to 20-11 after Copper hit a 3 after which a jumper, the latter with 2:48 to play within the first. The Mercury led 27-18 on the finish of the interval.
However Dallas swung again, paring its deficit to 41-32 when Howard and Ogunbowale hit baskets as a part of a 6-0 run. Phoenix answered and carried a 56-43 result in the break.
Copper poured in 17 factors earlier than halftime to steer all scorers whereas Taurasi had 13 and Allen scored 11 for the Mercury. Howard paced Dallas with 14 factors on the half, with Ogunbowale including 11.
The Wings clawed again from 18 factors down early within the third to inside 76-74 after an Ogunbowale jumper with 1:39 to play within the interval.
–Discipline Degree Media