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Taurasi's late FT helps Mercury outlast Sky

Aug 2, 2010 - 12:56 AM PHOENIX (AP) -- Diana Taurasi scored 35 points, including two free throws with 3.7 seconds left, and then knocked the ensuing inbounds pass wide to secure the Phoenix Mercury's 97-96 win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday.

Taurasi also had 11 rebounds, but missed two crucial shots in the final 20 seconds, then collided with Dominique Canty while trying to catch a pass from Tangela Smith in the lane to draw the foul.

Jia Perkins had hit a 16-footer with 5.6 seconds left to give the Sky (12-15) a lead after DeWanna Bonner hit two free throws with 10.9 seconds left to put Phoenix (12-13) ahead 95-94.

Sylvia Fowles had 12 of her career-high 35 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Sky, who had a 94-91 advantage with 1:23 remaining.

Candice Dupree, acquired from Chicago in the offseason, added 19 points and six rebounds for the Mercury, who moved two games up on San Antonio for second place in the WNBA's Western Conference with games against the Silver Stars on Tuesday and Friday.

Perkins had 23 points and five rebounds for Chicago, which has lost four of its last five and fell to three games behind fourth-place New York in the East.

Fowles, who came into the game averaging 17.8 points a game, reached that in the first 7 minutes, hitting 9 of 12 from the field but then missed five of her next six shots and was held to five points in the second and third quarters.

Phoenix, winner of seven of nine, scored the first six points of the second half and Taurasi scored 12 points despite picking up her fourth foul as the Mercury took a 74-70 lead into the final period.

Chicago jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first 3 minutes and led by 10 in the second quarter until Phoenix finished the half on a 15-4 run to take a 45-44 advantage at the break.

The Mercury have scored 97 points in nine of their last 10 games and topped 90 points in a league-record nine straight.

Chicago was 6-0 against the West until losing to Seattle on Friday.

Phoenix got just its second win in eight games against the East and is 9-0 all-time with Chicago.