PHOENIX MERCURY DEFEATS ACES IN HOME OPENER

By Marta DeLeon

Photo by  Marta DeLeon

PHOENIX- The Phoenix Mercury appeared  in its home opener against the Las Vegas Aces at the Talking Stick Resort Arena on Friday, collecting an 86-84 win. This was the second game of the season for both teams, who are now 1-1.

The Mercury was defensively ferocious to start the first quarter with DeWanna Bonner and Sancho Lyttle having two blocks each, and Essence Carson having a block, as well. Bonner rounded out the first half with a total of five rebounds and Briann January led the team with 12 of her 16 total points. They held the Aces to just 12 points for the game’s first nine minutes.

For the first time Las Vegas took the lead in the second quarter with the help of Dearica Hamby making 10 points in just nine minutes. Liz Cambage entered the game with 2:55 left on the clock and scored six points in less than five minutes of play. The Mercury trailed the Aces for the next two quarters, but regained its fire in the fourth.  

The Aces had several chances to tie the game in the last minutes, but just could not pull through. After two referee reviews and 0.1 put back on the clock the hope of Las Vegas going home with a win did not happen.

“Tough defense was the key to the game and holding (Kelsey) Plum and (A’ja) Wilson to only 21 points,” Coach Sandy Brondello said. “ I think that’s one the best defensive games Wilson has ever faced, and she is a great player. We competed, and I’m very proud of it. They knew what plays to make, and we controlled the tempo. It wasn’t the prettiest ending, but it is something we can learn by.”

Bonner finished the game with 11 defensive rebounds and was fierce in her defense.

“Coach challenged me to pick up my defense,” Bonner said. “A’ja is a great player and I wanted to make sure I focused in and do what I can for my team. It was definitely a challenge.”

The Mercury’s next game is against the Minnesota Lynx on the road on June 6^th. This will be first time Stephanie Talbot will play against her former team since traded on May 21^st.