The Phoenix Mercury weren't thrilled with their performance in Tulsa on Friday when they won a surprisingly low-scoring game (86-78) against the Shock. They did manage to knock coach Nolan Richardson out of the league with the defeat which pleased many fans of the WNBA.
Whether it was the turmoil in the Tulsa locker room or the Mercury playing with an edge early, Sunday's rematch game was out of hand just minutes into the contest. The Mercury opened a quick 25-5 lead and held Tulsa to just nine points in the first quarter. Phoenix set a WNBA record starting the game 11-11 from the field.
By half time, Phoenix was up 60-28 having shot 77 percent to Tulsa's 34 percent. The Mercury cruised home from there, recording the team's eighth win of the season and winning seven of their last eight. The 102-63, 39-point margin of victory set a new franchise record.
"We felt good today. When we are kind of in-sync like that we look pretty good. It starts defensively and rebounding," Diana Taurasi said. The Mercury were plus-13 on the glass and held Tulsa to 37.5 percent shooting for the game.
Despite the 39-point loss, new head coach Teresa Edwards wasn't displeased, "I'm actually proud of my girls. I know we pissed Phoenix off Friday at our place, so I'm proud of them today. They listened to me, they tried to give me everything that I asked of them to give me and they haven't been to an arena like this with me. I thought they stayed composed as they possibly could."
Penny Taylor led the Mercury with 18 points while Tiffany Jackson paced the Shock with 19. With the huge lead for most of the game, Phoenix coach Corey Gaines was able to use his bench extensively. Seven players scored in double-figures for the Mercury and the bench delivered 48 points.
The Mercury travel to Minnesota to face the Lynx (7-3) on Wednesday.