Griner scores 23 points, Mercury hit 10 3s in win over Fever

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, right, hustles back on defense following a first-half score against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, June 20, 2019. (Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

By Associated Press

Originally Published: June 29, 2019 12:18 a.m.

PHOENIX — Brittney Griner scored 23 points, Leilani Mitchell had 18 points and 11 assists for her first career double-double and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Indiana Fever 91-69 on Friday night.

Griner had 17 points in the first half to help build a 50-38 lead, and Phoenix (4-5) opened the fourth quarter on an 18-4 run to make it 89-61.

Rookie Sophie Cunningham added a season-high 19 points, and DeWanna Bonner had 15 for Phoenix. The Mercury shot 52%l, including 10 of 17 from 3-point range, to improve to 4-0 when having at least three players reach double-figure scoring.

Candice Dupree led Indiana (5-8) with 15 points, Kelsey Mitchell had 13 and Betnijah Laney 12. The Fever lost for the third straight time, remaining one victory behind their win total from last season.