Miami Beats Phoenix, Clinches Playoff Berth

Sheri Sam scored 25 points and Elena Baranova added 20 to help the Miami Sol clinch a playoff berth with a 72-61 victory over the Phoenix Mercury Friday night at Miami in front of 9,011.

Miami (16-11) forced 24 turnovers by Phoenix, a season-high for the Mercury and a Sol opponent.

Miami, which trailed, 42-34, at halftime, opened the second half with a decisive 23-9 run.

Jennifer Gillom scored 25 points for the Mercury (11-15).

Houston 72, Orlando 60--Janeth Arcain scored 18 points and Tina Thompson had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Comets (17-9) in front of 11,180 at Houston.

Taj McWilliams made only seven of 16 shots and had 17 points for Orlando (10-17), which suffered its sixth consecutive road loss. Elaine Powell scored 14 points for Orlando.

Nykesha Sales, Orlando’s leading scorer, didn’t score until 11 minutes 59 seconds remained. She finished with seven points.

Utah 64, Seattle 61--Marie Ferdinand and Adrienne Goodson each scored 15 points as the Starzz won a franchise-record sixth consecutive game in front of 5,873 at Seattle.

Jennifer Azzi had 11 points for Utah (15-11).

Lauren Jackson led Seattle (9-18) with 16 points and six rebounds. Michelle Marciniak added 11.

Sacramento 81, Indiana 69--La’Keshia Frett and Yolanda Griffith each scored 18 points as the Monarchs rallied to win at Sacramento in front of 8,856.

Kedra Holland-Corn scored 14 points and Ticha Penicheiro finished with 11 assists for Sacramento (16-11), which won for the third time in four games.

Washington 64, Portland 50--Nikki McCray and Annie Burgess each scored 13 points as the Mystics (9-17) extended the Fire’s losing streak to five games in front of 15,532 at Washington.

Carolyn Young scored 13 points for Portland (11-16).

Charlotte 72, Minnesota 64--Dawn Staley and Andrea Stinson each scored 16 points for the Sting in front of 7,494 at Minneapolis.

Katie Smith, the WNBA’s leading scorer, scored 19 of her 21 points in the second half for Minnesota (8-18).

Charlotte, which began the season 1-10, improved to 13-14.