The Chicago Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury 77-66 in Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday, July 7.

Backed by a well-rounded offensive display, Tyler Marsh’s squad led for over 36 minutes to secure the 11-point win – their third in the last five games. Led by rookie standout Sydney Taylor’s 16 points, seven players finished with at least seven points in a balanced showing. 

Taylor, who continues to fortify her case for Rookie of the Year consideration, poured in six of her 11 field goal attempts, including three of her seven looks from deep, to pilot Chicago’s offense. Over her last nine games, Taylor is averaging just under 18 points off a 51% clip from the field per appearance.

Kamilla Cardoso turned in another brilliant two-way performance with nine points, four rebounds, four assists and four blocks to anchor Chicago’s defense near the tin, while forward Azurá Stevens asserted herself down low with nine points and a game-high 10 boards in her seventh straight game playing at least 25 minutes.

Fresh off her 15-point, five-assist performance against Las Vegas on Friday, veteran guard Natasha Cloud dished out a team-best six assists to go along with her 11 points, four rebounds and pair of steals in 32 minutes of action. In her first start of the season, Courtney Vandersloot scored seven points in 18 minutes alongside Cloud in the backcourt. 

Rookie Aicha Coulibaly played one of her best games of her young career, logging eight points and snaring a career-best seven rebounds in just 14 minutes off the bench. Rachel Banham pitched in with seven points for the second unit as well. 

Former Sky guard Kahleah Copper led the Mercury in scoring with 25 points and four rebounds. Two-time WNBA champion DeWanna Bonner recorded 12 points and seven rebounds. Six-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas notched 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. To round out the box score, Valeriane Ayayi and Monique Akoa Makani scored nine points apiece, while Ayayi added six rebounds.