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Taylor's 30 points propel Mercury past Comets

Jun 25, 2007 - 1:22 AM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Penny Taylor scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Phoenix Mercury rally to defeat the Houston Comets 90-85 on Sunday.

Belinda Snell had 17 points and seven rebounds and Tangela Smith scored 16 for Phoenix, which led by 20 in the first half only to trail by eight points entering the final quarter.

The Mercury (8-7) also played this game without the services of their two leading scorers, Diana Taurasi (19.5 points) and Cappie Pondexter (17.8).

Taurasi was suspended two games by the WNBA for inappropriate conduct toward game officials near the end of the Mercury's 87-84 loss to Detroit on Friday. Pondexter missed her last three games due to a strained left groin.

Taylor connected on 8-of-14 from the floor and 14-of-15 from the free-throw line for Phoenix, which led, 44-24, with 5:05 left in the second period on a jumper by Snell. However, the Mercury made only two baskets in the third quarter and were outscored, 26-9, in the period.

Taylor had eight points when Phoenix ran off a 15-0 run in the first 6:07 of the final quarter to regain the lead for the rest of the game. The Mercury shot 40 percent (28-of-70) Crystal Smith scored a career-high 18 points and rookie reserve Ashley Shields scored 16 for Houston (2-11), which shot 40 percent (28-of-70) and saw its meager two-game winning streak end.