SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 22 (Ticker) -- Diana Taurasi gave the Phoenix Mercury the lead. Kara Lawson and Ticha Penichiero each wasted chances to take it back.

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Taurasi had 22 points, eight rebounds and a key block in the last two minutes as the Mercury escaped with a 71-69 victory over the Sacramento Monarchs.

Lawson missed a layup with two seconds left and Penicheiro threw away an inbounds pass with one second remaining.

Phoenix held a 70-69 lead when Lawson rebounded a partially blocked layup by Taurasi. She dribbled the length of the court but missed the shot. Phoenix's Plenette Pierson was fouled on the rebound and split the free throws.

After a timeout by Sacramento, Penicheiro threw the ball out of bounds from midcourt, spoiling her 15-point performance. The Monarchs lost to the Mercury for the first time in three meetings this year.

Anna DeForge scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half for Phoenix, which had four players in double figures. The Mercury have won two in a row after a five-game slide.