DeWanna Bonner Dominates In An 82-81 Loss To The Silver Stars

For the Mercury this marked the end of their four game road trip that has not brought the team a ton of success. After a 1-2 record so far a win at their rival the San Antonio Silver Stars would make this a even split on the road, a reasonable feat.

The game was a seesaw battle from the beginning that had a theme from the start; DeWanna Bonner. She scored 17 first quarter and actually outscored the Silver Stars after one - 17-16. Bonner was getting hers in transition, from the free-throw line and even from deep early. The basket was as big as the ocean.

To combat the shear greatness of Bonner the Silver Stars countered with Becky Hammond (22 points 4 assists) and Danielle Adams (24 points 6 rebounds) worked together. Those two made tough shots and scored 28 out of the teams 31 fourth quarter points in an equally great display of basketball.

Coach Corey Gaines after the game, "they made a run and we were still up by three going into the fourth. (Danielle) Adams and Becky (Hammond) took over in the second half."

Two late threes from Alexis Hornbuckle and Bonner cut the final score to 82-81 as San Antonio (8-5) defeated Phoenix (4-11) for the second time this season.

In the loss Bonner was flat out special. She was on from the opening tip to the final buzzer as she dominated with a career-high 38 points while chipping in 8 rebounds.

"I'm always looking to be aggressive," said Bonner after the game. "I'm always looking to score. Tonight my shots kept falling so I kept shooting and was aggressive."

Foul trouble plagued the effectiveness of rookie Samantha Prahalis (9 points 5 assists) all game limiting her aggressiveness.

The Mercury head into the Olympic Break with three out of four games at home all against teams above .500 for the season. This is a critical stretch for the Mercury as they have a chance to still make a run here and fight for the Playoffs or head into a battle for the first pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.