Phoenix ? Anna DeForge scored nine of her 15 points during a 21-2 surge in the second half, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm, 73-61, Wednesday night.

Penny Taylor had 17 points, including seven during the game-winning surge that carried Phoenix to a 58-40 lead with 10:10 left. Diana Taurasi added 14 points.

Phoenix had lost a season-high five straight before beating San Antonio on Tuesday night.

The Mercury (5-11) overcame 1-for-15 shooting at the start to get within 32-29 at halftime, blocking 10 shots in the process. That was enough for a WNBA season-high, and Phoenix added two more in the second half.

Maria Stepanova had eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for the Mercury. Six other Phoenix players contributed to the blocks total.

Betty Lennox had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the defending WNBA champion Storm (8-9), who lost for the fifth time in six games and fell 31â2 games behind Sacramento in the Western Conference entering the All-Star break.