Jackson, Storm end Mercury’s win streak

PHOENIX – Lauren Jackson scored 25 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:03 left, as the Seattle Storm ended the Phoenix Mercury’s three-game winning streak with a 93-84 victory Sunday night.

Swin Cash added 22 for Seattle, which tied Phoenix for the best record in the Western Conference at 5-2. Sue Bird had 21 points and nine assists for the Storm, who outrebounded the Mercury 37-22 and outscored them inside 42-26.

Diana Taurasi scored 25 points and Cappie Pondexter added 22 for the Mercury, who were looking to match the franchise’s best start at 6-1 in 1998.

After Seattle took an 85-74 lead with 5:22, Phoenix scored the next eight points and cut the deficit to three at 85-82. But Seattle stopped Taurasi on a drive to the basket and Jackson hit a 22-footer on the other end. Bird hit another 3-pointer with 29.9 seconds remaining to seal it.

Phoenix hadn’t lost at home since Aug. 28, 2008, having won eight in a row at the U.S. Airways Center.

Mercury coach Corey Gaines was ejected with 14.4 seconds left after going on the court to argue with officials.

Phoenix took the lead briefly late in the third quarter, but Jackson – who had 16 points in the second half – and Tanisha Wright scored in the final 17 seconds of the period to give Seattle a 68-65 advantage going into the fourth.

Bird then scored the first seven points of the period to give Seattle a 75-65 lead with 8:32 left.