Taurasi, Mercury keep Dream winless

Jul 2, 2008 - 5:22 AM By PA SportsTicker

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Diana Taurasi scored 28 points and Tangela Smith added 17 as the Phoenix Mercury extended the Atlanta Dream's league-record losing streak with a 97-79 victory on Tuesday night.

Kelly Mazzante and Le'Coe Willingham scored 14 points apiece for the Mercury, who outscored the Dream, 33-9, in the second quarter to secure the victory.

Betty Lennox scored 18 points and Jennifer Lacy added 16 for Atlanta (0-16), which still is looking for its first win in franchise history.

In other games Tuesday:

NEW YORK 89, LOS ANGELES 78: At Los Angeles, Shameka Christon scored 28 points and Janel McCarville added 15 and eight rebounds as the Liberty outscored the Sparks, 38-16, in the fourth quarter to emerge victorious.

Candace Parker had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, which committed 17 turnovers.

CONNECTICUT 78, HOUSTON 68: At Uncasville, Connecticut, Asjha Jones scored 15 points and Lindsay Whalen added 14 and nine assists as the Sun overcame a big second-half deficit by outscoring the Comets, 48-30, in the second half to remain atop the Eastern Conference.

Matee Ajavon netted 14 points and Michelle Snow added 11 and nine rebounds for Houston, which shot just 36 percent (27-of-75).

CHICAGO 73, MINNESOTA 71: At Minneapolis, Jia Perkins drilled a 3-pointer with 1:22 left to give the Sky the lead for good in their close win over the Lynx.

Candice Wiggins scored 17 points for Minnesota, which has lost three of its last five.

SAN ANTONIO 79, DETROIT 72 (OT): At San Antonio, Sophia Young scored 27 points and Becky Hammon added 10 of her 19 points in overtime as the Silver Stars outscored the Shock, 14-7, in the extra period.

Katie Smith scored 17 points and Kara Braxton added 16 for Detroit, which has lost three of its last five.

SACRAMENTO 87, WASHINGTON 81: At Sacramento, California, Ticha Penicheiro collected 17 points and eight assists as the Monarchs beat the Mystics for the eighth straight time, dating to September 2004.

Alana Beard scored 31 points for Washington, which has won four of its last five games.