May. 22, 2012 08:58 PM
Associated Press
TULSA, Okla. - Candice Dupree scored 31 points and had a key offensive rebound that led to Samantha Prahalis' go-ahead free throws with 22.2 seconds left, and the Phoenix Mercury held off the Tulsa Shock for an 89-87 victory on Tuesday.
Diana Taurasi started for the Mercury but played only 10 minutes and scored three points in her first playing time of the season while recovering from a strained left-hip flexor.
Temeka Johnson and Ivory Latta each scored 16 points for Tulsa (0-2). DeWanna Bonner had 16 points for Phoenix (1-1).
"At our last practice, we set up some different plays for her (Dupree) and told her to be aggressive," Phoenix coach Corey Gaines said. "To get this win on the road and avoid starting 0-2 is big for us."
Trailing by 11 with 4:42 to play, Tulsa went on a 14-2 run to take the lead at 86-85 on Glory Johnson'sCQ two free throws with 1:26 remaining.
Charde Houston hit a pair of free throws to put the Mercury ahead 87-86, before Tulsa's Scholanda Dorrell made a free throw to tie it at 87 with 55.8 seconds left.
Following a miss by Charde Houston, Dupree grabbed the rebound and Prahalis was fouled. She hit both free throws to give Phoenix an 89-87 lead.
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