By: Shanna Rose I WV Sports Chat
ARLINGTON, Texas- The rookie trio of Aziaha James, Paige Bueckers and JJ Quinerly were unstoppable as the Dallas Wings defeated the Phoenix Mercury 98-89 on Thursday night.
James finished with 28 points, 20 which came in the first half and Bueckers dropped 23. Quinerly scored a career-high 17 points. The former West Virginia star added seven assists and five rebounds for the Wings (6-13).
Dallas started four rookies in one game and it was a recipe for success. The last team to do so was the Minnesota Lynx in 2000.
The Wings have won five of their last seven contests.
In just her 13th WNBA game, Bueckers scored her 250th point, becoming the fastest player to do so since Minnesota Lynx’s Seimone Augustus did in her rookie campaign.
James drained five 3-pointers and had six rebounds and six assists.
Kahleah Copper led the Mercury (12-6) with 33 points. Satou Sabally tallied 20 points and Monique Akoa Makani added 14.
In the first quarter, Dallas shot 10-of-13 from the field and connected on three 3s. They were perfect at the charity stripe.
At the half, the Wings led 61-43.
Phoenix’s defense had been holding teams to 79.3 points per game this season but they had no answer for the three rookies.
The Mercury shot 37 percent, making 3-of-14 from beyond the arc.
Quinerly made her first start on Saturday and scored 15 points, earning her a spot in the starting lineup against Phoenix. Turnovers were problematic for the young guard in her first game but she committed just two against the Mercury.
The two teams will meet on Monday for a rematch when Dallas travels to Phoenix.
Photo Credit: Tom Fox- Dallas News
