Penny Taylor scored 30 points in yesterday's fifth and deciding game of the WNBA championship series against the Detroit Shock to lead the Phoenix Mercury to their historic 108-92 win.

Shooting guard Cappie Pondexter, who recorded 26 points and10 assists, received the series MVP, but Taylor's season-long contribution was recognized by Mercury coach Paul Westhead.

"Penny Taylor from Game 4 to Game 5, you wouldn't believe the change in her performance," Westhead said. "She was spectacular. Penny Taylor certainly was our great performer throughout the season."

After a second-rate effort in Game 4, when she scored just six points (1-11 FG) Penny Taylor was dazzling in Game 5, shooting 6-11 from the field and a faultless 18-18 from the free-throw line.

The Mercury earned a 20-9 lead in the first quarter to reduce most of the 22,076 fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills to silence. The Game 5 crowd tied the league's Finals attendance record, set in Game 3 of the 2003 Finals in Auburn Hills. The total Finals attendance of 74,178 is also a WNBA record.

Taylor, Pondexter and Diana Taurasi, who added 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists to the cause, were the exponential figures that led the rally to the title.

The Mercury set a WNBA record with 55 points coming in the first half, and they shot 52.3% from the floor from two-point range and made 29 of 30 free throw attempts.

The Detroit Shock lost the last two games of the series, ending its bid to win consecutive titles as they also won the title in 2003.

Deanna Nolan led her team with 27 points and Katie Smith scored 18 points for Detroit, which committed 17 turnovers compared to only nine for the Mercury.