SAN ANTONIO (AP) Jia Perkins made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 24.6 seconds left to help San Antonio beat the Phoenix Mercury 76-71 on Thursday night for the Stars' first win of the season.
Perkins scored nine of her 13 points in the fourth quarter as San Antonio (1-6) put an end to its worst start in franchise history.
Sophia Young-Malcolm led San Antonio with 21 points in her second consecutive start. Danielle Robinson had 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and rookie Dearica Hamby grabbed 14 rebounds.
San Antonio took an 11-1 lead as Phoenix missed its first 10 shots. The Stars led 17-9 after one, holding the Mercury to 18 percent shooting. Stars coach Dan Hughes was called for two technical fouls with 6:58 left in the second quarter after arguing with officials and was ejected.
DeWanna Bonner had 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Phoenix (3-4) in its final game of Brittney Griner's seven-game suspension. The 2014 Defensive Player of the Year is set to return Saturday in Minnesota.
The Mercury started the third quarter on a 9-2 run, capped by Bonner's 3-pointer, to take its first lead since it was 1-0. Phoenix scored 27 points in the third quarter after trailing 32-27 at halftime, and held a 54-48 lead.
