Mercury Rises Past Shock

Diana Taurasi scored 16 points and Erin Phillips added 15 to help the Phoenix Mercury beat the Tulsa Shock 100-78 on Friday night.

Brittney Griner added 14 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots for Phoenix (3-1).

Riquna Williams had 27 points off the bench for Tulsa (0-4).

Skylar Diggins had 20 points and four assists for Tulsa after being held to two points in the first 17 1/2 minutes of the game.

The Mercury started the second quarter on an 18-2 run to break open a close game, taking a 40-21 lead with 3:54 left in the first half.

Phoenix hit its first four shots of the period and made eight straight free throws during the run. The Mercury were 16 of 20 from the foul line in the first half. Tulsa did not attempt a free throw until four minutes had passed in the second half.

Phoenix led 47-36 at the break.

The Mercury started the second half on a 9-2 run to solidify its advantage. The Mercury led by 23 in the quarter and 36 in the fourth.

Tulsa jumped out to a 9-3 lead, but Phoenix's Penny Taylor and Phillips hit 3-pointers late in the period to give Phoenix a 22-19 lead after one.

The Shock were looking for their first win of the season and first since Sept. 8 of last season. They have lost six straight overall.

The Shock had lost its first three games of the season by a total of eight points.

Phoenix beat Tulsa in all four of their meetings last season and is 15-2 with the Shock since they left Detroit.