In Houston, the Mercury ran a big late comeback behind Diana's forty-one points (yes, forty-one), but Tamecka Dixon disrupted a final play, Michelle Snow got in the way of a buzzer-beater, and the Comets preserved the win.

The Merc made their run despite a near-total void in the low post: with the still-hurting Vodichkova playing only seven minutes, coach Westhead's frontline options consisted of Lacy, Rasmussen, and Kayte Christensen, whom Carrie Graf had cut. Westhead's pedal-to-the-metal style may not get Phoenix to the playoffs this year, but it plainly suits the team he has: one that can play faster than its opponents, and shoot better from outside, but one which will never be taller and stronger.

Houston overcame absences of their own: Thompson and Canty are still out, and Dixon gave limited minutes (sore Achilles). Van: "I don't believe I've ever seen a team win a game as shorthanded as we were. Dixon had said she couldn't play anymore, couldn't walk ... so we sat her down. Then she sees we're beat and she comes back. What a heroic effort; just plays through pain."

Staley scored 21 for the home team; Snow had 15, the much-criticized Tari Phillips-- Snow's low-post substitute-- 19.