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Mercury set scoring record in 123-91 rout of Shock

Jul 23, 2010 - 4:10 AM TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Diana Taurasi was more concerned with getting a win than the Phoenix Mercury setting a WNBA scoring record.

Taurasi scored 26 points, Candice Dupree had 23 and the defending champion Mercury set the league mark in a 123-91 victory over the Tulsa Shock on Thursday night.

"Records are nice, but as long as you win the game," Taurasi said. "I think we are more happy that we got to play really good basketball for long stretches. But records are nice too."

Phoenix topped the previous single-game record of 116 points, set in a victory against Tulsa on June 12.

Ketia Swanier added 17 points, Tangela Smith 13, DeWanna Bonner 11 and Penny Taylor 10 for the Mercury (9-12), who also set records with 67 points in the first half, most points in the second quarter (36) and most field goals in a half (25).

The Mercury shot 59 percent (36 of 61) from the field, including 9 for 16 on 3-pointers. The Shock were limited to 44 percent (27 for 61) from the floor and 31 percent (5 for 16) on 3s. Phoenix thrived on free throws at 100 percent (18 of 18) while Tulsa was just 3 for 5. Phoenix finished with a 40-33 rebounding advantage.

"I think we did a good job on the boards defensively," Taurasi said. "We did a good job of stopping things they did really well against us in Phoenix (in the Mercury's 97-88 win over Tulsa at home last Saturday). We concentrated on that and then that got the running game going for us, a little bit."

As they have in most games this season, the Shock had trouble making shots and rebounding. They were often limited to one shot per possession while the Mercury got some offensive rebounds before scoring. Phoenix finished with a 40-33 rebounding advantage.

Kara Braxton scored 18 points to lead the Shock (4-18). Shanna Crossley had 12 points, Jennifer Lacy added 11, and Ivory Latta and Amber Holt 10 each. Tulsa has lost three straight after a snapping a 12-game skid last week at San Antonio.

The Mercury scored 100 or more points against the Shock for the third time this season and swept the four-game series against the franchise which was sold and moved from Detroit in the offseason.

The Mercury stretched a 31-21 lead after one quarter to 26 at halftime and 33 after the third. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Taurasi and a layup by Swanier made it 45-26 early in the second.

"We just hit on all cylinders, getting open shots," Phoenix coach Corey Gaines said.

Although Tulsa fought back with runs, Phoenix regained momentum and kept pouring it on.

"There is no question that when you look at the ballclub, and they're trying with every ounce of energy they got left, it's just a disaster when you're watching and you can't do nothing to stop it," Shock coach Nolan Richardson said.

"You can substitute, you can do whatever you think you can to stop the bleeding, but again, they just keep the pressure on. Their guards are so quick that they make great penetrating moves that if you don't cover them, they score. If you do, they kick it out. Just a tough match tonight."

The Mercury took an early seven-point lead before Tulsa pulled to 13-11 in the first quarter. However, Phoenix took over from that point, putting together strings of runs.