PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi scored 24 points to lead the Phoenix Mercury past the Sky 97-84 on Friday night.
Taurasi also had six assists and went 11 of 12 from the line to help Phoenix set a franchise record with 42 made free throws — including all but one of its 27 attempts in the second half.
Epiphanny Prince had 19 points and six assists for the Sky, who have lost three straight.
Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot scored six of her 14 points in the fourth quarter, which led for the entire first half but never regained the lead after Ketia Swanier hit a 3-pointer 17 seconds into the third quarter.
Michelle Snow added 12 points and seven rebounds for the Sky, who pulled to 65-64 with 3:49 left in the third before the Mercury scored the last eight points of the period — making all 6 of their free throws.
Chicago went 6 for 18 from the field in the third, allowing Phoenix to build a 73-64 lead going into the final quarter.
The Mercury, who trailed by as many as 15 at one point, went 42 of 45 at the stripe to help offset their 31 percent shooting in the second half.
Penny Taylor scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had two steals for Phoenix, which has won five of six after losing the first three games of the season.
The Sky has lost all six of their games played in U.S. Airways Center.
