PHOENIX — Brionna Jones had 18 points, Tyasha Harris scored all 12 of her points in the third quarter and the Connecticut Sun beat the short-handed Phoenix Mercury 83-72 on Monday night.
Harris scored Connecticut’s opening 10 points of the second half to help build a 52-41 lead.
Phoenix center Brittney Griner made her second 3-pointer of the season and Natasha Cloud completed a three-point play with 6:07 remaining to cap a 12-3 run and get within 70-66. But the Mercury didn't make another field goal the rest of the way.
The Sun maintained their lead at the free-throw line, making their first 21 before a miss with 57 seconds left. DiJonai Carrington finished 8 of 8 at the stripe, while Jones made all six of her attempts.
Phoenix, which was coming off an 88-82 loss to Indiana on Sunday, struggled without Diana Taurasi (back soreness) and Rebecca Allen (lower back). The Mercury were just 2 of 11 from 3-point range through three quarters before finishing 3 of 17.
Carrington added 16 points for Connecticut (15-4), which routed Phoenix 70-47 earlier this season. Veronica Burton added 11 points off the bench and Alyssa Thomas had 10 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. DeWanna Bonner struggled from the field, going 3 of 12 to finish with seven points.
Griner and Kahleah Copper each scored 21 points for Phoenix (9-10). Cloud added 18 points and 10 assists.
Cloud beat the first-quarter buzzer with a floater from the free-throw line to cut Phoenix's deficit to 19-17.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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