Taurasi's shooting cools down the Sun

Former University of Connecticut star Diana Taurasi had 17 points and five assists to lead the Mercury past the Connecticut Sun, 75-59, yesterday in Phoenix.

Plenette Pierson added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Mercury, which had lost its last two games.

Nykesha Sales, another former UConn ace, scored 23 points on 10 of 14 shooting to lead the Sun, who have lost two straight after winning three in a row.

Phoenix went on a 13-1 run to take a 56-40 lead with 10:08 left in the game. The Sun managed only a Wendy Palmer free throw during the 5:46 stretch and never got closer than 10 after that.

Connecticut shot over 50 percent for the first 28 minutes of the game, but missed 11 of its last 16 shots. The Sun also committed 16 turnovers, including four during the key Mercury run.

Penny Taylor scored 13 of her 15 in the second half for Phoenix, which also outrebounded Connecticut, 26-20.

Phoenix shot 52.5 percent (31-for-59) from the field, led by Taurasi's 6 for 8.

Comets 59, Silver Stars 47 -- Sheryl Swoopes scored 20 points and Tina Thompson added 17, leading host Houston over San Antonio.

The pair combined for 24 in the first half and held off a late San Antonio rally as the Comets avenged a season-opening 64-55 loss to the Silver Stars.

Houston has won two straight following a losses to Phoenix and New York last week.

Adrienne Goodson scored 15 points for the Silver Stars, who have lost four in a row.

Shock 83, Fever 79 -- Deanna Nolan scored 29 points, and Detroit rallied from a 23-point deficit to beat Indiana at Indianapolis.

Detroit, which trailed, 41-18, late in the first half, held Indiana without a basket over the final 9:49.

Swin Cash added 21 points and Ruth Riley 12 for the Shock.

Kelly Miller scored 20 points for the Fever. The Shock held two-time All-Star Tamika Catchings to 15 points and just two free throws in the second half.

Detroit shot 59 percent (19 of 32) after the break and outscored Indiana, 12-2, over the first 3:20 of the second half.

Sparks 82, Sting 68 -- Mwaki Mabika scored 19 points and the Sparks rallied in the second half at Los Angeles to top Charlotte.

Nikki Teasley added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the Sparks (4-4), who broke a two-game losing streak. Lisa Leslie scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Charlotte Smith-Taylor led the Sting (2-5) with 17 points. Dawn Staley and Tynesha Lewis had 12.