Mercury-Shock Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Aug 29 2011 1:16PM

While Sheryl Swoopes will likely go down as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, no one thought much of her return to the league following a two-year hiatus.

The four-time champion and three-time MVP, however, clearly still has something left in the tank.

Seeking a third straight win for the first time since relocating, the Shock try and avoid a seventh consecutive defeat to the visiting Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night.

After making the winning jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining at Los Angeles to snap Tulsa's WNBA-record 20-game losing streak Friday, Swoopes stepped up again, recording a season-high 22 points and seven rebounds during Sunday's 83-72 win over Connecticut.

"Everyone who played contributed to this win, everyone," Swoopes said. "To get a home win for our crowd was great. They have supported us throughout the losing streak."

The Shock (3-25) haven't won three straight since Sept. 1-6, 2009, when they played in Detroit. They have limited teams to an average of 73.5 points during their back-to-back victories - 8.1 less than their season mark.

"The first one was sweet and all but I think this one is even better because it came in front of our fans," interim coach Teresa Edwards said. "We're starting to turn the corner. Our confidence is up and we're not going to base our team on what anybody else (opponent) is thinking. We'll do our best."

With its brutal losing stretch in the past, Tulsa now tries to end its skid in this series. The Shock have dropped six straight to the Mercury (16-12) by 22.3 points per game - including a 102-63 defeat July 10 during which Swoopes was held scoreless in 17 minutes.

Phoenix avoided matching a season-worst third straight loss by defeating Washington 86-79 on the road Sunday. Forward Candice Dupree scored a season-high 27 points and Diana Taurasi added 21.

The Mercury led by as many as 22 before letting up a bit over the final 10 minutes.

"We talked before the game about getting off to a quick start, making sure we were fluid on both ends of the court. It worked," Dupree said. "We kind of let slip a little bit in the fourth quarter, but a win is a win. We definitely needed it."

Taurasi, who leads the league with 21.2 points per game, has recorded eight straight 20-point efforts - a season high.

Phoenix, which concludes its current four-game trek Thursday at San Antonio, is third in the Western Conference, three games ahead of the fourth-place Silver Stars. Phoenix, however, can't afford to overlook Tulsa before that matchup, especially given the Shock's new-found confidence.

"Even though we can't make the playoffs, we feel like we can impact other teams getting to the playoffs," Tulsa forward Tiffany Jackson said. "Once you get that first one, it's mental, you think you can win them all."

Phoenix ranks first in the WNBA with an average of 89.9 points but is also surrendering a league-high 86.8 per game.

The Mercury can clinch a postseason berth with a victory and a Los Angeles loss to Seattle.

Bonner's career high leads Mercury

Posted Aug 30 2011 10:54PM

TULSA, Okla. (AP) One game after not scoring a point, DeWanna Bonner tied her career-high Tuesday night with 25, leading Phoenix to a 96-74 victory over Tulsa, snapping the Shock's two-game winning streak.

Bonner attempted just two shots in the Mercury's win at Washington on Sunday. Against Tulsa, she was 8 of 12 from the field.

``I came out a little more focused,'' Bonner said. ``I was looking for my shot, being a little more aggressive. I guess it worked out.''

When told of her stats and tying her career high in points, Bonner said, ``Really? I was focused, that's all it was.''

Teammates Diana Taurasi and Candice Dupree, who scored 23 and 14 respectively, weighed in on Bonner's performance.

``I think DB was shaving points the last game,'' Dupree said with a laugh. ``She had to make up for it tonight. She came in focused, hit her open shots. If we can get her to play like that every game, we'll be hard to beat.''

Added Taurasi, ``If you think about it, she's a starter on every other team. She's an all-star in this league. For us, she plays a huge role in being a No. 1 threat. We need her.''

For Taurasi, her 23-point performance was her ninth consecutive game when she scored 20 or more. Phoenix guard Temeka Johnson added 14 points.

Tulsa trailed by as many as 28, but put together a late second-half surge behind rookie Liz Cambage, who finished with 16 points, hitting 7 of 9 field goals.

Joining her in double figures were Ivory Latta with 15 and Amber Holt with 11,

``Tulsa has really improved, they have more energy now,'' Phoenix coach Corey Gaines said. ``We just came out with a lot of energy. They got down and it was tough on them. They started to run and we are a running team, so it worked in our favor.''

Bonner said the Mercury were aware of Tulsa's two-game win streak.

``We didn't want to be their third,'' Bonner said. ``We got off to a quick start, got some good ball movement, cuts to the basket. We tried to get some transition going. They came back in the third behind Liz and we just had to stop her.''

With Tuesday's win, Gaines became the team's career leader in victories with 71.

``That's great for Corey,'' Taurasi said. ``He deserves it. He and I came up through the ranks together. So, really cool for Corey.''

Tulsa interim coach Teresa Edwards said the Shock just wore down.

``For us it has just been a lot of games. Unfortunately we have a schedule that is packed with, what, nine games in 16 days?'' she said. ``That's just a little too many games and it's catching up to us right now. I think we're really tired. I think, in our minds, we wanted to play hard. We wanted to go out and do well again. But we just couldn't do it. I kind of recognized that early in the game.''

Edwards praised Cambage's play.

``I didn't think, sizewise, they could match up to her,'' Edwards said.

Bonner attempted just two shots in the Mercury's win at Washington on Sunday. Against Tulsa, she was 8 of 12. Teammate Diana Taurasi scored 23 points to get her ninth consecutive 20-point game.

Starters Tameka Johnson and Candice Dupree finished with 16 and 14 points, respectively, for Phoenix (17-12).

Tulsa (3-26) trailed by as many as 28, but put together a late second-half rally behind rookie Liz Cambage, who finished with 16 points. Joining her in double figures were Ivory Latta with 15 and Amber Holt with 11.

• Mercury: --
• Shock: --

• Mercury: --
• Shock: --

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
• Officials: #9 Denise Brooks, #17 Scott Twardoski, #21 Byron Jarrett
• Attendance: 3590
• Duration: 1:50