By Shawn McCullough

Three Aces scored 20 or more points as Las Vegas routed the Mercury, 106-88, at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

“We will take 1-0,” said head coach Becky Hammon on the win. “The girls came out locked and loaded and ready to play.  We played well and I know we can still play better.”

Hammon coached her first game as the head coach of the Aces.

“It was super fun,” said Hammon. “I could feel how bad they wanted it for me.  That was the most special thing about it.”

Dearica Hamby led the Aces with 24 points, going 11 for 14 from the field, while A’ja Wilson dropped 15 and pulled down 11 rebounds.

“We are playing hard and tonight was a lot of fun,” said Hamby. “It [the win over Phoenix] was a good measuring stick to see where we are.”

“It is pretty encouraging that I can have a light day with ‘the gun’,” said Wilson about only taking eight shots and still winning by 18.

Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum each added 20 points.

“I just tried to come out and be aggressive,” said Young.

Guard Chelsea Gray dished out her 1,000^th career assist in the third quarter.

The Aces will return to Las Vegas for their home opener on Sunday at Michelob Ultra Arena against the Seattle Storm.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 58.2% from the field and 52.4% from three-point range.
Las Vegas turned the ball over 16 times.
The Aces out-rebounded the Mercury, 38-26.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot
Kiah Stokes – Out, Overseas