Dupree leads second-half run as Mercury beats Silver Stars 103-92

Dupree helps Mercury beat Silver Stars

SAN ANTONIO — Candice Dupree scored 24 points and the Phoenix Mercury used a big second-half run to beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 103-92 on Tuesday night.

Dupree had 10 points in a 21-2 surge that turned a one-point halftime deficit into a commanding lead, helping the Mercury (13-13) return to .500 for the first time since June 12. Temeka Johnson had five points and two assists in the key stretch, and finished with 13 and six.

The defending WNBA champions solidified their hold on second place in the West with their third straight victory and sixth in seven games.

League scoring leader Diana Taurasi had 21 points and 10 assists for Phoenix. Dupree went 12-for-15 from the field and also grabbed 12 rebounds.

The Silver Stars (10-16), who carried an 11-point lead into the second quarter, were trying to pull within a game of the Mercury in the first of back-to-back games between the teams. They play again Friday in Phoenix, then conclude the regular season with an Aug. 22 matchup in San Antonio.

Sophia Young scored 18 of her 24 points in the first half for San Antonio.