Mercury Loses, Remains Within Reach of Sparks

The Sparks got some help Sunday as Natalie Williams finished with 15 points and nine rebounds to lead the Indiana Fever to its franchise-best 17th victory with a 62-56 decision over the Mercury at Phoenix.

Phoenix, which played the final 2:20 without leading scorer Diana Taurasi (knee), is half a game ahead of the Sparks for the fourth and final Western Conference playoff berth.

Tamika Catchings added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Fever (17-12), which won for the second time in three games and maintained a one-game lead over third-place New York in the Eastern Conference.

Anna DeForge scored a game-high 18 for the Mercury (13-14), who lost for the third time in 13 games.

Kelly Miller made a three-point basket and four free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

Connecticut 80, Washington 77 -- Nykesha Sales had 17 points and the Sun (23-6) held off a furious late-game rally from the Mystics (14-14) at Uncasville, Conn., to clinch its second straight Eastern Conference title.

The Mystics scored 27 points in the final five minutes to rebound from 19 points down and had a chance to send the game into overtime on the last possession. But Delisha Milton-Jones missed an open three-pointer at the buzzer.

Charlotte Smith-Taylor led the Mystics with 17 points.

Houston 75, Seattle 72 -- Sheryl Swoopes scored 23 points and Michelle Snow added 20 to help the Comets (16-13) end a three-game losing streak by beating the Storm (16-13) at Houston. Lauren Jackson had 18 points for the Storm.

New York 73, Charlotte 65 -- Becky Hammon scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half and the Liberty (16-13) outscored the Sting (4-25), 22-11, in the final seven minutes to win at New York. Tammy Sutton-Brown led Charlotte with 19 points.