Taurasi, third-quarter run lead Mercury past Mystics 93-77

May 29, 2017, 08:21 pm

PHOENIX -- Diana Taurasi scored 20 of her 28 points after the half to lead the Phoenix Mercury to a 93-77 win over the Washington Mystics on Sunday.

Candice Dupree had 16 points, DeWanna Bonner added 14 with a season-high 12 rebounds -- her first double-double of the season -- and Brittney Griner scored 13 to help the Mercury to their first win of the season.

Taurasi scored 10 points during a 23-7 run that erased a 10-point deficit and propelled the Mercury to a 69-66 lead at the end of the third quarter. She then hit three 3s in the fourth as Phoenix, No. 8 in The Associated Press WNBA Power Poll, pushed its lead to as many as 18 points.

Stephanie Dolson led the 10th-ranked Mystics (2-4) with 14 points. Emma Meesseman scored 12, Tayler Hill added 11 points and Bria Hartley 10.

The Mercury (1-4), who avoided their first 0-5 start in franchise history, set season highs for points, field goals made (33) and field goal percentage (53.2).