The San Antonio Silver Stars defeated the Phoenix Mercury 81-70 in front of 9,370 faithful at the SBC Center on Saturday night.
The first half of the game was a roller coaster ride, epitomizing the first of half of the Silver Stars' season. There were ten lead changes and nine ties. San Antonio shot 54.5% from the field in the stanza while committing 14 turnovers. The Mercury hit 51.6% of their baskets, as the Silver Stars took a 43-39 lead into the lockerroom.
In the second half, the Silver Stars never relinquished the lead. Up by as many as 17 points, San Antonio put away the Mercury by dominating the boards and points in the paint. The Silver Stars finished the game with a 43-26 rebounding advantage and scored 44 of their 81 points inside.
For the second consecutive game, San Antonio scored in the 80's -- by far their best offensive efforts of the season. The Silver Stars had four players in double-digits led by Marie Ferdinand's 16 points. Forward Gwen Jackson continues to put up stellar numbers, tallying 15 points and 10 rebounds on the night.
"I can't complain about our offense. If we can continue to have this kind of offensive outburst and get back to where we were defensively … we will be where we need to be," said Silver Stars coach Candi Harvey said.
Defensively Phoenix played an aggressive press throughout the game, leading to a season-high 25 turnovers for the Silver Stars. San Antonio did not handle the press well and weren't coming back to meet the ball-handler.
"We were taking off and running too quick -- first instinct is to go to the basket," said forward Adrienne Goodson. "And we were trying to dribble through the press which wasn't working at all. They were coming from behind and getting steals."
Goodson went down hard at the 12:20 mark in the second half with a strained right calf muscle. She did not return to the game and is questionable for Thursday's game against Sacramento.
The Mercury had four players in double figures led by Anna DeForge with 14 points. Iziane Castro-Marques came off the bench to pitch in 11 points for Phoenix. The Mercury finished with 12 steals.
The Silver Stars shot 88.0% from the free-throw line (22-for-25) while Phoenix hit only 14 of their 25 foul shots.
San Antonio has one more game on Thursday at Sacramento before the All-Star break. Margo Dydek will represent the Silver Stars on the Western squad.
