Taurasi, Griner lead Mercury in 92-77 win over Stars

Jul 8, 2017, 03:34 am

SAN ANTONIO -- Diana Taurasi scored 17 points, Brittney Griner had 15 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the San Antonio Stars 92-77 on Friday night.

Griner hit a hook shot just before the halftime buzzer to give Phoenix a 45-35 lead. She and Taurasi combined to score 24 points in the half. Taurasi scored five points during the Mercury's 11-2 run to open the third quarter for a 56-37 lead.

Phoenix cruised in the second half even after Taurasi was ejected with 8:55 remaining after her second technical foul.

Leilani Mitchell also scored 15 points for Phoenix (9-6). She made her third 3-pointer to give the Mercury an 85-65 lead midway through the fourth.

Kayla McBride scored 10 of her 22 points in the first quarter for San Antonio (1-16). Alex Montgomery added 12 points and Kelsey Plum had six assists.