Wings Defeat Mercury

Dallas’ Glory Johnson had a huge night, scoring 23 points and grabbing 22 rebounds, and the Wings held on for a 77-74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

In a battle of the two highest-scoring teams in the WNBA, the game was relatively low-scoring. Dallas led 57-54 heading into the fourth quarter.

Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi and DeWanna Bonner each hit 3-pointers in the final minute, bringing the Mercury within three at 75-72 with 43 seconds to play. Taurasi then connected on a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to one with seven seconds to play.

However, Dallas’ Aerial Powers hit two free throws, and Taurasi missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Taurasi finished with 22 points to lead the Mercury (8-11).

Phoenix led 42-40 at halftime behind 12 points from Taurasi. Odyssey Sims had 12 points to lead the Wings (9-10) in the first half.

Sims wound up with 19 points, and Powers finished with 17 points off the bench for the Wings, who beat the Mercury for the third time this season.

Phoenix center Brittney Griner, coming off a triple-double in a win over Atlanta, finished with 13 points, four rebounds and six assists.