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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
PHOENIX (AP) -- When the Phoenix Mercury move the ball around,
Tonya Edwards believes they can shoot with anybody.
Edwards and the Mercury proved that Thursday night as they set a
league record for field-goal percentage in an 85-63 victory over
the Seattle Storm.
Phoenix hit 28 of 44 shots from the field (63.6 percent), a
league record. The previous record was 63.2 by Cleveland on July
21, 1999.
"We're doing a better job of swinging the basketball," said
Edwards, the Mercury's point guard, who joined Lisa Harrison with
15 points. "And when we get it inside, we're kicking it out to
open people. When you do that and swing the ball, you'll get open
shots and shoot much better. We've done that lately."
The Mercury (19-10), who have won five of six games, moved one
victory, or a Utah loss, away from clinching the final Western
Conference playoff spot with three games remaining.
Seattle (5-24) has lost five of six games. Phoenix swept its
three-game series with the expansion Storm.
Jennifer Gillom added 14 points and Brandy Reed had 11 for
Phoenix. Quacy Barnes led Seattle with 17 points, and Robin Threatt
had 11.
The Mercury set a franchise record by making 56.9 percent of
their shots from the field Tuesday in an 84-77 victory over
Orlando.
"I think a lot of it is we've been shooting a lot more in
practice," said Harrison, who made six of seven shots. "When you
work hard at it, it pays off."
Phoenix coach Cheryl Miller credits something else for her
team's improved shooting.
"I think we're being a little more aggressive offensively, and
we're being patient," Miller said.
Phoenix shot 66.7 percent (14-of-21) from the field in the first
half and led 42-30 at intermission.
Threatt said consistency was the problem for the Storm.
"I didn't think we played consistently all the way through,"
Threatt said. "We didn't play 100 percent for 40 minutes."
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