Braxton and Taylor lead Mercury to crucial win over Sparks

Braxton leads Mercury to win over Sparks

LOS ANGELES — Kara Braxton scored 16 points and Penny Taylor had 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Phoenix Mercury to a 90-84 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night.

Diana Taurasi and Candice Dupree each added 15 points and Dupree grabbed 11 rebounds for the Mercury (15-17), who broke a four-game losing streak and secured second place in the Western Conference.

Tina Thompson scored a season-high 33 points for the Sparks (12-20), who remain tied with Minnesota and San Antonio for third place. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs.

Marie Ferdinand-Harris added a season-best 21 points, DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 16 points and Ticha Penicheiro had 11 assists and nine rebounds for Los Angeles.