Originally published May 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 23, 2008 at 1:46 AM

Jackson scores 30 in Storm's comeback win over Phoenix

Lauren Jackson scored 30 points to rally the Seattle Storm from a 20-point deficit and beat the Phoenix Mercury 87-83 Thursday night.

The Associated Press

PHOENIX -- Lauren Jackson scored 30 points to rally the Seattle Storm from a 20-point deficit and beat the Phoenix Mercury 87-83 Thursday night.

Seattle (3-0) trailed 20 by in the first half, 15 at intermission and six going into the final period, then had to weather a final Phoenix possession to win its third straight.

Cappie Pondexter missed a runner with 4 seconds left and Phoenix failed to grab the loose ball with 2.5 seconds remaining. Diana Taurasi led the Mercury with 23 points and Pondexter had 21 but the defending WNBA champions fell to 0-3.

Jackson, who also had nine rebounds, made two free throws with 1.6 seconds left for the final margin.

The Mercury swept the Storm in two games in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, the last time the two teams met. Jackson hit a baseline jumper to start a six-point spurt with two minutes remaining and Sue Bird made a driving layup with 33 seconds left to give Seattle its first lead since the first quarter.

After Jackson added a pair of free throws, Taurasi answered with a fadeaway that made it 84-83 with 10 seconds left. Taurasi fouled Bird immediately on the inbounds play and Bird made a free throw to put Seattle up 85-83. Bird finished with 13 points.

Phoenix led 44-24 with 3:44 left in the first half and 52-37 at the break.

Kelly Miller had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the 3-point line, and Tangela Smith had 14 points and eight rebounds for Phoenix.

Swin Cash, who played last season with WNBA runner-up Detroit, added 19 points and seven rebounds for Seattle.

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