Snubbed Reed Leads Mercury

Miffed about being snubbed for the All-Star game in her own building, Phoenix Mercury forward Brandy Reed took out her frustration on Sacramento.

Reed had 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Mercury moved into third place in the Western Conference with their season-high fourth straight victory, 72-64, over the Monarchs Thursday before 9,747 at Phoenix.

Reed, upset because she wasn’t picked as a reserve by the league’s coaches for Monday’s All-Star game, made 10 of 18 shots from the field. She also blocked a shot.

Tonya Edwards added 17 points for the Mercury. Sacramento was led by Kedra Holland-Corn with 19 points and Yolanda Griffith had 16 rebounds.

The Mercury led, 63-59, with 4:06 remaining before going on a 9-4 run. Reed scored four points during the final run and Lisa Harrison made a three-pointer.

Phoenix scored the final 11 points of the first half to lead, 38-30, at intermission.

Washington 60, Miami 48--Nikki McCray scored 16 points and Murriel Page added 13 as the Mystics (9-11) defeated the Sol (7-13) before 7,304 at Miami.

Miami held McCray to only three points and Chamique Holdsclaw scoreless in the first half. However, Vicky Bullett and Muriel Page picked up the slack, scoring eight and seven points, respectively, as Washington led, 25-21, at halftime.

McCray began to find her range in the second half and the Mystics began increasing their lead. Washington also held Miami to only 27% shooting (17 for 62) for the game, preventing the Sol from mounting a threat.

Sheri Sam and Katrina Colleton each scored 13 points for Miami.

Bullett finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds for Washington.

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The WNBA fined Utah Starzz center Margo Dydek $250 for slapping Portland guard Michelle Marciniak late in a game against the Fire on Wednesday night.

With Utah leading, 67-62, in the final minute at the Delta Center, Marciniak wrestled with the Starzz’s Natalie Williams for the ball. Marciniak lost her balance and fell backward into Dydek, who gave Marciniak a swat on the side of the head.

Marciniak charged after Dydek, drawing a personal foul and a technical. Dydek was assessed a flagrant foul and was ejected.