Phoenix Mercury Late Game Execution Fail Vs. San Antonio

If you are a Mercury fan there's a definitely some positive signs from the third-straight Phoenix loss that marked a disappointing start to the 2011 WNBA season. The offense which failed to convert over 42 percent of their chances in the first two games was much better. 99 points and 47 percent shooting is certainly enough to win games if the late game execution and defensive rotations and awareness improve.

Kara Braxton is starting to find her touch again (although still missed a few easy looks) and Candice Dupree had her second double-double. The ball was moving better for much of the game the pace was up which is what Corey Gaines is looking for. 

Unfortunately, the problems on the defensive end continue. In the third quarter the Mercury gave up 37 points and 19 free throw attempts. While there were a few questionable calls -- there always are -- the majority of the fouls were a result of lack of poise or desperation hacks after getting beat from being out of position. 

The Mercury bench was out-played by the Silver Stars rookies Danielle Robinson and Danielle Adams and Jia Perkins has added a versatility and athleticism that San Antonio needed. Coach Dan Hughes has surrounded his two stars with better talent and has his team playing well on both ends of the floor which was the difference Friday night.

Crazy third quarter aside -- and really it was just the 13 San Antonio points in the final three minutes that hurt -- the Mercury had a two point lead with 3:39 to go in the game. That's a game you have to win, especially at home.

The score was 90-88 at that point and with the game on the line it was the Silver Stars that made fewer mistakes and played better defense and final result reflects that. Three turnovers in the final three minutes on the offensive end and a series of horrible defensive rotations against the high pick and roll doomed the Mercury.

Video: Corey Gaines And Diana Taurasi On Mercury Loss To Silver Stars

Phoenix Mercury coach Corey Gaines and star Diana Taurasi react to their 101-99 loss to the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Phoenix Mercury Fall To 0-3, Blow First Half Lead To Silver Stars

The Phoenix Mercury's early season struggles continued as the team lost 101-99 to the San Antonio Silver Stars on Friday night, dropping their record to 0-3 to start the year.

The squad's first victory of the season seemed to be in hand for the entire first half of the game due to an efficient fast break attack and stifling team defense. Phoenix held the Silver Stars to 41.2% shooting throughout the first two periods, entering halftime with a 51-37 lead.

"In the first half we played great defense and all five people were on the same page," said Mercury star Diana Taurasi.

That all changed during a foul-laden third quarter which brought the Silver Stars back within striking distance. A Danielle Robinson free-throw capped off an 11 point swing that gave the visitors a 72-71 lead, their first since the first quarter.

"In the second half, it was a totally different team," Taurasi continued. "We let it get away. If you don't work together in the second half you are going to lose and that's what happened."

Overall, the third period featured a 19-6 free throw disparity. Back-up point guard Ketia Swanier fouled out midway through the quarter, and starting point guard Temeka Johnson was forced to the bench after receiving her fifth foul.

"You can't blame the outcome of the game on that," Mercury head coach Corey Gaines lukewarmly stated after the game. "We got to move our hands more, move our feet more. Don't touch. It's on us."

San Antonio opened the fourth quarter on a 12-6 run to take a four point lead, however the Mercury fought right back, tying the game on a Diana Taurasi three-pointer with 4:20 to play.

Though, in the end the Silver Stars proved to be too much for Phoenix, closing out the game strong on the heels of a 10-6 run that stretched the deficit to five points with 2.4 seconds left.

Mercury star Diana Taurasi started the game on fire, scoring nine of her team-high 20 points in the opening quarter, but was held in check for much of the rest of regulation until resurfacing late in the fourth quarter.

"There is a laundry list of things we need to fix," Taurasi said. "Getting back into the gym and work harder until we find a different mindset that works."

Phoenix forward Candance Dupree recovered from a shaky first half to end the game with 18 points and 12 boards, her second straight double-double.

Sophia Young led the charge for San Antonio, pouring in 26 points while pulling down eight rebounds.

"I think we were running the floor better," Young said. "In the second half we buckled down, tried to box out, and got some rebounds. We have players that are able to guard people and we have players that are able to finish on offense as well."

San Antonio veteran Becky Hammon helped steady the team after their rough first half, piling up 22 points and nine assists.

"We just buckled down defensively," Hammon said. "It was just a great effort in the second half by our whole team."

Silver Star rookie Danielle Adams followed up her breakthrough 32-point game against Atlanta with another strong performance, scoring an effective 16 points on 2 of 5 shooting from behind the arc.

The Mercury play the last game of their weekend home-stand on Sunday against the Indiana Fever. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. MST.