Auburn Hills, MI (My Sportsbook) - Cheryl Ford scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, as the Detroit Shock edged Western Conference-leading Phoenix Mercury, 101-99, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Deanna Nolan donated 21 points, while Taj McWilliams had 12 points and six boards for Detroit, which continues to battle for a playoff spot. The Shock have won five of their last six after dropping the previous three games.

Cappie Pondexter had a game-high 25 points, and Diana Taurasi had 20 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists for the Mercury, who had a brief two-game winning streak halted. Phoenix has split its last six overall.

The Shock finished 51.2 percent shooting from the field, including 6-of-17 from three-point territory, while Phoenix went 46.6 percent from the floor and 10-of-23 from beyond the arc.

With Phoenix trailing 100-96 with 29.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter Taurasi was fouled from beyond the arc with under 10 ticks left and calmly made all three to make it a one-point game. Hornbuckle was then hacked on the Shock's next trip down the floor, but made only one of two from the stripe with seven seconds to go, giving Detroit a 101-99 lead. As time was dwindling down, Taurasi launched a three-pointer that was off the mark and Detroit held on.