The Phoenix Mercury are fresh off a visit to the White House to celebrate their 2007 WNBA title. Based on their play through the first month of this season, they might have a tough time securing a return trip.

The Mercury look to bounce back from their worst loss in almost six years when they visit the surging Washington Mystics on Tuesday night.

Phoenix (4-7) spent Monday being congratulated by President Bush for winning the franchise's first league title. It came a day after the Mercury were routed 105-72 by the New York Liberty to start a five-game road trip.

The outcome was the worst since a 41-point loss to Seattle on July 19, 2002 for Phoenix, which is one-half game ahead of last-place Houston in the Western Conference.

"We shot bad, played bad," said Mercury coach Corey Gaines, whose team shot 31.9 percent and allowed its most points of the season while dropping to 1-4 on the road. "It's a loss and we will see them again."

Phoenix, the WNBA's highest-scoring club at 87.4 points per contest, was held to a season low Sunday. The Mercury also allow a league-high 90.5 points per game.

Diana Taurasi scored 21 points, falling short in her attempt to become the second player in league history to post three consecutive 30-point games. She had combined for 65 in back-to-back wins for the Mercury.

"It's not about personal records," said Taurasi, the league's leading scorer at 24.9 points per game. "It's about helping the team win and we just didn't get it done."

Cappie Pondexter's average dipped to 24.8 after being held to a season-low 16 points on 4-for-16 shooting Sunday for Phoenix, which is 4-3 since losing four straight to open the season.

Taurasi had 29 points and Pondexter added 23 in the Mercury's 98-93 home victory over Washington on June 3.

All-Star Alana Beard scored 33 points on 12-for-17 shooting in that game for the Mystics (5-7), who shot a season-high 60.3 percent (38-for-63) from the field.

She had 18 - all in the second half - in Washington's 72-61 victory over winless Atlanta on Friday night. Beard averages 19.7 points to rank fourth in the WNBA and posts a team-high 4.0 assists per game for Washington, which tries for a fourth straight win after losing five in a row.

The Mystics added some depth inside by signing Kendra Wecker on Monday. The fourth-year forward, who was released by San Antonio before the season, is averaging 4.3 points in her career.