Courtney Vandersloot scores 21, but Sky lose to Mercury

BRADENTON, Fla. — Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner each scored 22 points, and the Mercury beat the Sky 96-86 on Thursday for their fourth consecutive victory.

The Sky opened a 16-8 lead before the Mercury went on a 24-2 run in the last four minutes of the first quarter to grab a 14-point lead at the end of the quarter. Taurasi tied the score at 16 with a four-point play, Brianna Turner followed with a layup and the Mercury led the rest of the way.

Taurasi made a three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in the first half to steal some of the Sky’s momentum, and the Mercury (4-2) led 55-49 at the break.

In the third quarter, after Courtney Vandersloot made a three-pointer to pull the Sky to 60-59, Taurasi made two three-pointers less than a minute apart to blunt the Sky’s rally again.

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 17 points apiece for the Mercury. Vandersloot led the Sky (4-2) with 21 points, and Kahleah Copper added 18.

It was a chippy game, and Sky coach James Wade was ejected with a few minutes left in the fourth quarter after arguing with the officials.