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Mercury-Silver Stars Preview

Aug 14, 2009 - 5:21 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Phoenix (17-7) at San Antonio (10-13), 8:00 p.m. EDT

With Becky Hammon unable to match Diana Taurasi in a battle of the WNBA's leading scorers Thursday night, the San Antonio Silver Stars couldn't keep up with the Phoenix Mercury.

Hammon and the Silver Stars, however, have a quick chance to redeem themselves.

Taurasi and the Mercury travel to San Antonio on Saturday night looking to win for the seventh time in eight road games and complete a home-and-home sweep of the struggling Silver Stars.

Taurasi outscored Hammon 47-39 as Phoenix (17-7) and San Antonio split two high-scoring meetings in June, and Hammon figured to have a strong game when the teams met Thursday. The five-time All-Star was looking to bounce back from a 3-for-10, 11-point effort Tuesday in a 90-73 home loss to Sacramento.

Her shooting touch didn't return in Phoenix. Hammon, who came in averaging a league-best 20.7 points, went 2 for 12 and had a season-low seven points while Taurasi scored 29 points in the Mercury's 95-83 win.

"A big part of what they do, having Becky being able to break defenses down, score, and get people involved," said Taurasi, who increased her average to 20.8 points to seize the scoring lead from Hammon (20.0). "We were able to take one part of it away tonight. We didn't get caught in some of the things that she's really good at."

Cappie Pondexter, right behind Taurasi and Hammon at 19.0 points per game, hit exactly her average to help Phoenix to its 11th win in 14 games.

"I'm sure they're frustrated about this game and ready to make it even," said Pondexter, who has averaged 22.7 points this season against San Antonio (10-13).

Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes may have been more frustrated than anyone. He watched the final three quarters from the locker room after being ejected with 48.3 seconds left in the first quarter for arguing with officials.

"It's unheard of. I said the word 'why,'" Hughes said. "Just for the absolute record I said 'why.' That's what I got thrown for. I have no other comment on that. I've never been ejected. I said the word 'why.' That's what got me thrown out. Period."

Phoenix heads to San Antonio with a 7-4 road record that is tied for the league's best. The Mercury have won six of seven away from home, with four of the victories coming by double digits.

The Silver Stars, meanwhile, have lost four of six at home and have fallen 6 1/2 games behind the Western Conference-leading Mercury.

While Hammon almost certainly must have a big game for San Antonio to even the season series, it doesn't necessarily need another one from Sophia Young. The three-time All-Star tied a season high with 29 points Thursday, and the Silver Stars fell to 3-6 when Young scores 20 or more.