Sami Whitcomb hit the five second-quarter 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, while Sato Sabli scored 12 out of 15 points in the first quarter, as Phoenix Mercury rolled the fifth direct win over Chicago Sky on Saturday, 107–86.
Kahleh Copper scored 16 runs against his former team, with nine in the second half when the results were essentially in hand for mercury (11-4), who shot 51.5 percent from the field and made a season-high 17-pointers on 35 attempts beyond the arch.
Kamila Cardoso and Michela Onenvere scored 17 runs for each Chicago (3-9), who shot 52.6 percent from the ground, but did 21 turnover, leading to 29 Phoenix points. Angel Reese scored nine runs, trying to make his only field-target efforts. WNBA’s rebounding leader Reese, who entered an average with an average of 11.7 per game, lost Akash for the fifth time in six matches.
Phoenix first controlled the quarters and never looked back. Along with Sabli, Phoenix recorded seven theft and scored 13 points from eight Chicago turnover.
Cardoso baskets were found in Chicago within 11–10, Monon Akaa Makani, Catherine WestBeld and Katja Lasmsa hit 3S consecutives. Then, Saballi scored runs from Phoenix 11–0. Saballi lowered seven points to help Phoenix to give 31–18 lead after a period.
Whitcomb then took over in the second quarter. Ariel Atkins’ bucket got Chicago within 39–33 through a 7–0 run, Mercury scored the next seven points, highlighted by the second 3 of Whitcomm. The last 3 of the quarter gave Phoenix a 58-43 lead.
Atkins (13 points) opened the second half with 3, scored the next 11 points, including five from copper. Mercury excluded Sky from 34–15 in the third quarter.
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