Taurasi scores 31 points, Willingham adds 26 to lead Mercury past Monarchs, 115-104 in OT

Taurasi, Willingham lead Mercury in OT

PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi scored 31 points and Le’Coe Willingham added 26 points as the Phoenix Mercury recovered after squandering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and beat the Sacramento Monarchs 115-104 in overtime on Saturday night.

The Mercury set a WNBA record for the most points in a game, topping the 114 by Minnesota against Los Angeles on May 31, 2006.

The 219 points were also the third-highest combined total. Phoenix has been involved in the top five — the Mercury beat Houston 111-110 in three overtimes on Aug. 10, 2006, and they had a 111-109 win in two overtimes against Connecticut on July 6, 2007.

Taurasi scored eight points in overtime, including two 3-pointers in the first 1:18 of the extra period to help Phoenix (3-1) pull away.

Cappie Pondexter added 22 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Mercury, who shot 8 for 12 from the field in overtime.

Nicole Powell scored 15 of her 28 points in the fourth quarter for Sacramento (1-3). Kara Lawson had 16 points and eight assists.

Lawson’s 3-pointer with 19.4 seconds left in regulation tied the score at 97. Phoenix’s Cappie Pondexter missed an 18-footer with 2 seconds remaining.

In overtime, Taurasi hit a 3 with 4:07 left, while Powell missed one for the Monarchs. Taurasi then came back with another 3 at the 3:42 mark to give Phoenix a 107-99 lead and Sacramento never got closer.

The Monarchs trailed 84-68 with 8:02 left in regulation but Powell hit three 3-pointers and then her layup with 1:24 remaining got Sacramento within 95-92.

Sacramento won the opener of the teams’ home-and-home set, 90-71 at home on Friday night.