Mercury Beat L.A., Set Record

They say Phoenix gets hot in the summer months. The summer of 2007 may be remembered for the usual high temperatures, but also the first-place local teams: the Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Mercury.

The Mercury handed the Los Angeles Sparks their 21st loss of the season, 100-83 at the U.S. Airways Center. Phoenix earned their 21st win, and with that set a franchise record for wins in a season.

Forward Penny Taylor scored 17 of her game-leading 28 points in the second half. Two of Phoenix's three Kelly's - Miller and Schumacher came away with a team-high 8 rebounds.

"It was a tough game, like every game...we knew that we needed to be tougher," says Taylor. "We had a few turnovers and got a bit slack on defense. We really just took off in the running game, got the rebounds and ran them."

The Mercury never trailed throughout the contest and outscored L.A. in every quarter.

"I'm happy for the team, I'm happy for the franchise," remarks Phoenix head coach Paul Westhead. "They've shown progress; moved forward."

With much forward movement needed for postseason ranking and success, Mercury players understand that now is the time when wins mean the most.

"It's nice not to rely on someone else to lose or win to get in to the playoffs," says guard Diana Taurasi, who scored 12. "We did it on our own terms this year which is a huge credit to the coaching, the whole staff, and the players."

The WNBA postseason will certainly be different with no Los Angeles Sparks. The team will miss the playoffs for the first time in the Bush Administration, they lose a franchise-high 21 games, and remain without key starters Jessica Moore, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Temeka Johnson, and Mwadi Mabika.

"We're all professionals and you can't put your head down or give up," says 10-year WNBA veteran Murriel Page. The Spark forward drilled 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. "You just have to go out and play. No matter if you're playing to make the playoffs or you're just playing to finish the season, you should always give your all."

Spark first-year forward and Rookie Of The Year contender Sidney Spencer led the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

"You've got to go through the valleys to get to the mountains," says Spencer on a season the Sparks are convinced they'll improve upon. "I know things haven't gone this way for the Sparks in the past...but I think in the end this will make us better."

While "better" does describe the 2007 Mercury campaign, they now turn their focus toward the week ahead. Back-to-back games against defending western conference champion Sacramento place home court advantage on the line. The team is 2-0 so far against the Monarchs, yet know that the division is wide open.

"They're obviously a team that's won a championship," claims guard Kelly Mazzante. "Our mentality is going to be what it always is, one game at a time."

The Mercury travel to Sacramento for a Friday affair with the Monarchs, then both come to the desert for a regular season finale against each other, Sunday, August 19th.

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