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Brown helps Suns sink Bobcats

Nov 8, 2012 - 5:19 AM Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Shannon Brown hit six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 24 points, as the Phoenix Suns took a 117-110 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday.

Michael Beasley and Marcin Gortat each posted double-doubles with 21 points and 15 rebounds and 23 points and 10 rebounds, respectively, for the Suns, who had dropped their previous two games.

Byron Mullens had 24 points and eight rebounds, Ramon Sessions had 17 points and nine assists and Kemba Walker finished the game with 17 points and eight helpers for the Bobcats, who have dropped their past two games.

"The signs are there that we don't let go of a game," said Charlotte head coach Mike Dunlap. "But we expended too much energy coming back and Brown was making shots with guys all over him."

The Suns led by 14 at halftime, but the Bobcats used a 12-0 run in the third to whittle the deficit down to 62-58 after Michael Kidd-Gilchrist slammed the ball home with under nine minutes to play in the third.

Phoenix stayed ahead and built its advantage back to 14 with a 7-0 spurt capped on a Luis Scola bucket with five minutes to play, but Charlotte scored the final six points of the quarter and it was an 85-81 game going to the fourth.

The Bobcats scored the first four points of the final frame to tie the contest, but Brown later hit his first three-pointer to give the Suns a lead they never relinquished.

After Sessions hit two from the line, Brown countered with his second long ball and then his third after two more free throws from Tyrus Thomas.

Brown's third three of the period made it 100-93, but Reggie Williams hit consecutive buckets to cut the deficit to 100-97 with 5 1/2 minutes to play.

A bit later, Session made two more free throws to make it a 105-101 game, but Brown countered with another 3-pointer and P.J. Tucker later made a free throw with 2 1/2 minutes left.

Following a Walker layup, Brown buried a long shot from the left side with 1:13 to play and that sealed the win.

"I just didn't want to break the rhythm by taking terrible shots," said Brown. "Once I knew I was hot I wanted to take a shot that I knew could go in."

Thanks to 63 percent shooting and nine points from Gortat in the first quarter, the Suns held a 31-22 lead after 12 minutes and built that into a 60-46 lead as the teams went into the halftime break.

Game Notes

Phoenix broke the 100-point mark for the first time in five games this season ... The Suns host Cleveland on Friday ... Charlotte plays in New Orleans on Friday ... Phoenix has won the past two against Charlotte after losing the previous four ... Phoenix grabbed 50 rebounds, compared to 39 for Charlotte.