2009-06-26 04:28:02 -

WASHINGTON (AP) - Cappie Pondexter scored 24 points and Diana Taurasi had 23 to help the Phoenix Mercury pick up their first road victory of the WNBA season with a 93-87 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday.
Temeka Johnson added 11 points and Kelly Mazzante scored 10 for the Mercury, who had key runs to close out the first and third quarters and then held off the Mystics' late rally.
Alana Beard led five double-figure scorers with 21 points, as the Mystics cut a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to 89-87 on Crystal Langhorne's basket with 1:56 remaining.

However they missed on their next four potential game-tying shots and the Phoenix's Le'coe Willingham had a layup with 6.9 seconds remaining.