By Shawn McCullough
The Aces struck first in the first round of the WNBA playoffs with a 79-63 win over the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena.
“That was one hard fought game,” said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “We were able to break away there in the 4th quarter.”
The Aces led 55-51 with 6:54 left in the fourth quarter when Mercury center Megan Gustafson committed a flagrant 1 foul on Aces guard Chelsea Gray.
“I was just coming to help side and I wanted to tie up the ball,” said Gustafson.
Gray hit both free throws and proceeded to break the game open, scoring seven straight points for the Aces.
“I got a little upset,” said Gray. “I was able to knock it down in transition.”
Gray scored 17 points, including going 3 for 5 from three-point range.
“Don’t foul Chelsea Gray like that,” said Aces guard Kelsey Plum. “She’s just a dog and flipped the switch.”
Plum led the Aces with 22 points, while A’ja Wilson scored eight points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
The Mercury lost forward Shay Peddy to a leg injury, while also playing without Skylar Diggins-Smith (personal reasons) and Diana Taurasi (quadriceps).
“They [Phoenix] were really good,” said Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard. “The first three quarters, we were making things difficult. If more shots fell for us, it would have been a different story.”
Mercury guard Diamond DeShields led Phoenix with 18 points.
The Aces and the Mercury will play the second game of the three-game series on Saturday at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com
Game Notes:
The Aces shot just 40.6% from the field.
Las Vegas center Kia Stokes led the Aces with 13 rebounds.
The Aces outscored the Mercury, 24-12, after Gustafson’s flagrant foul on Gray.
Game Starters:
C – 41 Kia Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray
Aces Injury Report:
Dearica Hamby, out, right knee bone contusion
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