Aces hand Mercury fourth loss in past five games

By Scott Mammoser

PHOENIX- The Las Vegas Aces are continuing to grow up as the WNBA season progresses. Kayla McBride scored 27, while A’ja Wilson pulled in 18 points and 12 rebounds, as the Aces won at the Phoenix Mercury, 85-82, on Thursday night. Diana Taurasi, who won her first national title at UConn while Wilson was in kindergarten, scored a game-high 33 points for Phoenix.

Mercury's turnovers cost them in loss to Aces

“We need to compete against every team in the WNBA,” Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said. “This is a good team. We prepared and had good energy yesterday, but we didn’t bring our energy for the start of the game. You need to do it for 40 minutes. We shot ourselves in the foot. We lost that game because of turnovers (16-10, allowing 25 points opposed to nine). We would get back in, then give it right back to them for a layup.”

The Aces led by as many as 13 in the early third quarter. Taurasi’s three cut the deficit to 79-77, then 83-82 with 1:07 to play. After an offensive foul, the Mercury had a chance in the paint, but two offensive rebounds could not fall through the hoop. Wilson extended the lead for the Aces, who improved to 11-13, while Phoenix fell to 15-9.

“We need to be more aggressive,” Taurasi said. “When we are passive, it gives the other team an opportunity. They (the Aces) are getting contributions from a lot of players.”

Brittney Griner recorded a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, DeWanna Bonner scored 13, and Angel Robinson grabbed 11 rebounds for the Mercury.

“We are just trying to win the game,” added Mercury guard Leilani Mitchell, who was 2-of-4 from downtown. “Whether it’s scoring or creating positive energy, we are just trying to win the game. It’s a tight race at the top of the ladder, so every game is important.”

Mercury dropped 3 out of 4 on road, glad to be home.

The Mercury is happy to be back in Phoenix after dropping three of four on its road trip. Plus, the players can get comfortable, with nine of the final 11 regular season games being played at Talking Stick Resort Arena, its next being at 7 p.m. on Saturday against the Lynx. The only road swing consists of the one-hour flights to Los Vegas and Los Angeles on Aug. 1 and 5.

The Aces found their stride since opening the year 1-8. The team rattled off four-consecutive wins, including one in Minnesota , before losing to the Sparks on Sunday. The next game is July 22 versus Indiana in Las Vegas.

Also announced on Thursday, the team assignments for July 28^th’s All-Star Game in Minneapolis. Taurasi, Griner and Bonner will all play for the team Elena Delle Donne is captaining. Brondello and her staff will lead the side with Candace Parker as captain.