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Smith powers Mercury past Silver Stars

Jun 1, 2007 - 5:05 AM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Tangela Smith scored 22 points to lead all five starters in double figures as the Phoenix Mercury coasted to a 97-85 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars on Thursday night.

Smith scored 12 of her points in the first quarter to spark the Mercury to a 26-20 lead. Phoenix built the lead to 44-31 at halftime.

Diana Taurasi, who had just three points in the first half, came alive and scored 18 of her 21 points in the second half, including 10 in the third quarter as the Mercury pulled ahead by as many as 17 points.

Smith finished 9-of-12 from the field for Phoenix, which shot 54.5 percent (36-of-66) from the floor.

Cappie Pondexter added 19 points, Penny Taylor 13 and Kelly Miller 10 for the Mercury (4-1).

Becky Hammon scored 25 points and Sophia Young added 22 for San Antonio (3-2), which shot just 36 percent (30-of-83).