PHOENIX (AP) — Sami Whitcomb scored 29 of her career-high 36 points in the first half, Alyssa Thomas had her 16th career triple-double and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Dallas Wings 102-72 on Monday night to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season.
Whitcomb’s 29 were the most points scored by a WNBA player in any half this season.
Whitcomb scored 22 points in the opening 12 minutes to help Phoenix build a 33-21 lead. She made 10 of her first 12 field goals, with her sixth 3-pointer giving Phoenix a 46-33 lead.
Whitcomb was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 8:27 left in the third quarter and made two free throws to set a new career high with 31 points. She missed the third free throw, but Phoenix got the offensive rebound and Whitcomb drained a 3-pointer for a 59-42 lead.
Whitcomb, who entered with a season high of 18 points, finished 12 of 19 from the field, including 7 of 11 from 3-point range.
Thomas had 15 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for Phoenix (13-6), which reached the century mark for the third time in five games. Satou Sabally (right ankle) missed her first game of the season.
JJ Quinerly scored 18 points and Aziaha James added 15 for Dallas (6-14). Paige Bueckers scored 11 in 24 minutes. The Wings were without starters Arike Ogunbowale (left thumb) and DiJonai Carrington (rib).
The Mercury avenged a 98-89 loss on Thursday to the Wings, who were the first team in 25 years to start four rookies.
Six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner, who was waived by the Indiana Fever on June 25, sat courtside. Multiple outlets reported that Bonner, won two WNBA titles with Phoenix, is expected to sign with the Mercury in the coming days.
Thomas, Bonner’s fiancée, was traded to Phoenix during the offseason after getting the franchise tag from Connecticut.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots over Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Monday, July 7, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) dribbles past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Monday, July 7, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) celebrates one of her 3-pointers against the Dallas Wings with Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Monday, July 7, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A shooting outside a church building in Salt Lake City killed two people and injured six others Wednesday, police said.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.
Dozens of people were attending a funeral inside at the time. All the victims were adults.
Police said they do not believe the shooter had any animus toward a particular faith.
“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said.
Police also do not believe the shooting was random. Authorities said no suspect was in custody.
About 100 law enforcement vehicles were at the scene in the aftermath, and helicopters flew overhead.
“This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life,” Mayor Erin Mendenhall said.
The church was cooperating with law enforcement and was grateful for efforts first responders' efforts, a spokesperson said.
“We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy and express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind,” Sam Penrod said in a statement.
The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, and about half of Utah’s 3.5 million residents are members of the faith. Churches like the one where the shooting occurred can be found in towns throughout the city and state.
The faith has been on heightened alert since four people were killed when a former Marine opened fire in a Michigan church last month and set it ablaze. The FBI found that he was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against the church.
Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP)
People hug each other after a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP)
Funeral attendees leave a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a fatal shooting in the parking lot in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP)
Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Rio Giancarlo/The Deseret News via AP)
