SAN ANTONIO, July 28 (Ticker) -- Vickie Johnson scored a season-high 25 points, including the game-winning layup with 12 seconds remaining, to lift the San Antonio Silver Stars to a dramatic 98-96 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.

All-Star rookie Sophia Young collected a season-high 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Silver Stars, who snapped a three-game losing streak and dealt the Mercury a blow to their postseason hopes.

NBA TV highlights from Mercury-Silver Stars: Play

San Antonio (12-15) moved within 1 1/2 games of Seattle (14-12) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Phoenix (11-15) fell three games back.

Trailing, 65-56, the Mercury put together a 12-2 run capped by a 3-pointer by Kristen Rasmussen for a 68-67 lead with 2:55 to go in the third period.

Diana Taurasi, who scored 25 points, hit a jumper to give Phoenix a 96-93 with 1:42 left. Shanna Zolman answered with a 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining to pull the Silver Stars even.

After a timeout by Phoenix, Taurasi missed a jumper and Johnson made her layup. Rasmussen and Penny Taylor both missed potential game-tying shots for Phoenix, which dropped to 5-9 on the road.

All-Star rookie Cappie Pondexter scored 27 points and Taylor added 22 for the Mercury, who shot just 43 percent (37-of-80) from the field.