Phoenix, AZ (AHN) Cappie Pondexter scored 23 points in leading the Phoenix Mercury to a 76-75, come-from-behind win over the Sacramento Monarchs in WNBA action Tuesday night.

Pondexter stepped up after all-star Diana Taurasi was ejected in the second quarter. Taurasi picked up a flagrant foul and two technicals in just 67 seconds.

"I don't even want to talk about it," Taurasi said. "It was stupid. Stupid is the only word I could [use]."

Luckily for Taurasi, Pondexter was there to lift the Mercury to a thrilling win, despite falling 17 points behind in the first half. Pondexter scored 21 points after Taurasi was thrown out.

"You need something to ignite the team, so getting thrown out was the perfect medicine," Taurasi said tongue in cheek. "So I'll be looking to do that a lot more. Not!

"It was over and done with, and obviously I'm not going to do that again because watching the game from the locker room is not the ideal. It's not where I want to be," said Taurasi.

Pondexter drained a deuce to break a 71-71 tie with three minutes to go. Kelly Miller supplied two free throws but the Monarchs stayed in the game thanks to consecutive lay-ups from Rebekkah Brunson and DeMya Walker.

The Monarchs had a few chances to win the game, but Brunson couldn't convert a pair of jumpers and time expired.

Pondexter also contributed five assist and five rebounds. Taurasi, who league-leading 23.7 points per game, finished with just four points.

Brunson led the Monarchs with her double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Nicole Powell fell just short of a double-double herself with 13 points and nine rebounds.