Basketball On The Internet.

FORMER Australian Opals Olympic captain Michele Timms was back in Phoenix so it was no surprise Erin Phillips would emulate her in the Mercury’s WNBA clash with San Antonio Stars.

Playmaking guard Phillips was the “Blonde Bomber” as she shot a perfect 4-of-4 threes and made the additional free throw after being fouled on a triple for 13 points in 19:40 of action.

It was a very Timms-esque performance.

Mercury starter Penny Taylor had 10 points in 21:35 as Phoenix twinkle-twinkled all over the Stars 90-61.

Trail-blazer Timms, the first Aussie to play in Europe back in the day, then the first Aussie taken by the WNBA when it launched in 1997, was in Phoenix for the occasion and reunited with her Aussie pals, including Mercury coach and former Opals teammate Sandy Brondello.

Candice Dupree led Phoenix with 19 points, 15 in the first half as the Mercury avenged their only home loss of the year en route to winning a franchise record 10th straight game.

“What I was really pleased with was our defence,” Brondello said.

“Our activity … this is a team that can put points on the board if you allow them, but we made sure every shot was contested, so we executed very well.”

Having previously coached San Antonio, the win was especially pleasing for Brondello, made moreso by the fact Phoenix’s sole home loss was to the Stars.

Diana Taurasi had nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 24 minutes while Brittney Griner had 10 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot to go to 75 for the season, more than double the next player in the WNBA.

Timms, who while playing with Phoenix from 1997-2001 had the distinction of her #7 uniform outselling the #7 of Phoenix Suns NBA superstar Kevin Johnson, is a legend with the Mercury.

An All Star, she led the club in assists in 1997-98-99, in steals in 1997-99 and in minutes played during the franchise’s inaugural season.

Her 4.8 career assists average still leads the club.

She led 10 Aussie players (and two coaches, Carrie Graf and Brondello) to the Mercury as a club.

Take a look at this little list of Aussie superstars: Michelle Cleary 2000-01, Jae Cross (nee Kingi) 2004, Trisha Fallon 2001, Michelle Griffiths (nee Brogan) 1998-2000, Kristi Harrower 1998-99, *Erin Phillips, Belinda Snell 2005-06-07, *Penny Taylor, Michele Timms 1997-98-99-2000-01, Kristen Veal 2001-02. (*On active roster).

Just by the way, after Timms led Phoenix in assists from 1997-99, Cleary did it in 2000 and Veal in 2001.

And you wonder why the Americans love Aussies?

We pass the ball!

“Great to have Michelle Timms back in Phoenix. Love being a part of the Aussie Mercury Family!!” Phillips tweeted today.

Yes. It showed.

CONGRATULATIONS to Outback Jacks SEABL Player of the Week Rhys Carter who led the Raiders to a 75-64 win over Kilsyth on Saturday night at the State Basketball Centre.

Carter, twice an Adelaide 36er in the NBL, had 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Cobras guard Kyle Adnam, a 36ers development player last season, had 13 points and three assists in opposition.