Two struggling teams took the court as the Chicago Sky hosted the Phoenix Mercury. The Sky were a midst a three game losing streak and the Mercury are flirting with the basement of the Western Conference.
In the end it came down to who wanted the game more, because down the stretch each team made mistakes to prove they didn't want.
Through two quarters the Mercury were in full control as the play of Alexis Hornbuckle (8 points 9 rebounds) and Krystal Thomas (9 points 11 rebounds) were critical in stretches. Midway through the third quarter with the Mercury up 11 and the Sky making a bit of a push Hornbuckle hit a critical three. Those three points were relevant in the end as the Sky had a shot at a tying three in the final seconds.
It wasn't a smooth finish, rather a photo finish as the Mercury (4-9) held on late over the Sky (7-5) for the 84-81 win.
The Mercury were led by DeWanna Bonner and her career high 27 points.
"I just wanted to be aggressive and come out and get a win," said Bonner after the win. "We are struggling right now since we only have eight players so I just try to come out and play hard every night and take what the defense gives me."
Outside of Bonner the team took care of business on the glass outrebounding the Sky by 17 total rebounds (42-25) and dominated the offensive glass 17-7.
Head coach Corey Gaines on the rebounding margin, "We just tried to box in Sylvia (Fowles). Put one person in front, one person in back so she couldn't get the rebound and let our guards rebound."
Outside of the final score the Mercury dominated the game, which is even more impressive with the eight man rotation. Since losing Candice Parker and Nakia Sanford the team has had the philosophy of dominating the glass as a team. For the game six of the eight players that suited up had at least four total rebounds.
Up next for the Mercury is a trip to Washington on Sunday July 1st to face off against the Mystics at 1 p.m. local time and can be seen on Live Access.