ORLANDO, Fla. (Ticker) -- The Orlando Miracle made the most
of their opportunties at the free throw line.
Sparked by a plethora of foul shots down the stretch and Shannon
Johnson's career-high 25 points, the Miracle pulled away for a
78-69 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.
Orlando went to the line just once in the first half but made
13 of 14 foul shots over the final 3:39 as it closed the game on
a 15-7 run.
Johnson, who has been hampered by a back injury, came up big in
the second half, scoring 18 points. She also made all six of
her attempts from the line down the stretch.
Nykesha Sales added 16 points and Elaine Powell 13 for Orlando
(11-17), which stayed alive in the Eastern Conference playoff
race. The Miracle are three games behind the Charlotte Sting
(14-14) with four games remaining.
Trisha Fallon netted 17 points for the Mercury (11-16), who are
on the brink of playoff elimination. They fell five games back
of the Utah Starzz with five to play.
Orlando trailed by as many as six points in the second half but
used a 16-5 run, capped by a short jumper from Taj McWilliams,
to take a 56-51 lead with 10:15 remaining.
Jennifer Gillom, who finished with 13 points, converted a layup
to pull the Mercury even at 58-58 with 6:22 left. But Powell
made a free throw and 15-footer, giving the Miracle the lead for
good with 5:55 to play.
Fallon's layup with 4:28 to go brought the Mercury within 63-62
before the Miracle's parade to the line began less than a minute
later.
Orlando shot 46 percent (30-for-65) from the field and finished
15-of-22 at the line. The Mercury shot 49 percent (27-for-55)
and made 12 of 15 free throws.
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ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard
Phoenix team page
Orlando team page
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