Despite Sophia Young scoring a season-high 22 points and Becky Hammon pouring in 25 points, San Antonio was unable to catch Phoenix. The Silver Stars cut the lead to six points in the third quarter, but the Mercury held on and took the 97-85 victory.

Phoenix scored nine straight points in the opening quarter, but Hammon put a stop to their run with a 3-pointer to bring the Silver Stars within eight with 2:36 remaining. Hammon scored eight points in the quarter, but Tangela Smith countered with 12 of her 22 points to bring the Mercury to a 26-20 lead. The Mercury shot 12 of 21 as they held San Antonio to just 7 of 25, including 3 of 10 from beyond the arc.

The Silver Stars struggled in the second quarter missing their first 12 shots giving Phoenix a chance to open up a 10-point lead with 7:30 to play in the half. Hammon made her third three-pointer to bring the Silver Stars within 12. But the Mercury opened up their largest lead of the game 44-27 with 1:07 left in the first half. With Hammon going 4 of 4 from the free throw line, the Silver Stars went into the locker room down 44-31 at the half.

The Silver Stars cut the lead to six points halfway through the third, but the Mercury continued to steam things up shooting 60 percent in the quarter. Phoenix scored 40 fast break points and were perfect from the free throw line. The Mercury took a 79-65 lead going into the fourth.

The Silver Stars cut the lead to nine with 10:30 left in regulation, but Phoenix was able to burn the clock and take the 97-85 win.

Hammon’s 25 points on Thursday night is her third consecutive 20-point game. All five of the Phoenix starters scored in double figures. The Mercury shot 54.5 percent and held the Silver Stars to 36.1 percent from the field.