Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
Tonight was the first of two big nights of WNBA basketball back at Capital One Arena, and while the end result was not quite what the Mystics would have liked, the energy of being back at the Arena they called home before the move to ESA was nothing less than electric.
It was also the homecoming for Baltimore native, Angel Reese and her Chicago Sky team. She not only packed the house with friends and family, but she had also quite a few stars show up for her as her legendary coach at LSU, Kim Mulkey sat courtside the entire game and witnessed Reese help her team to a 79-71 victory.
Chennedy scored a season high 25 points off the bench for the Sky in what seemed to be a breakout night after an incident with a “paparazzi” outside of the team hotel yesterday.
Aaliyah Edwards had quite a performance and continues to shake off the slow start to the season, scoring 16 first-half points on a perfect 7 for 7 shooting. She also contributed 3 blocks as well. Her effort on both ends helped the Mystics to build a 9-point, 44-35, lead going into halftime.
Unfortunately, after the half the Mystics continued much of the same, we have seen this season, faltering in the scoring department late in the game. The Mystics committed 4 turnovers in the final 6 minutes that would key to 8 Sky points and more than enough to control the game the final 3 minutes
Some good Mystics notes was that Edwards was able to hold the LSU standout to 16 points but on a rough 5-for-17 from the field and recorded two blocks on Reese. She also got a block on the Sky’s other rookie Kamilla Cardoso.
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough came off the bench and finished with 11 points along with adding two rebounds and two steals.
After the game Shatori took some responsibility for the lack of offense and passing up on shots.
“I need to take a few more shots. That’s one me, said Walker-Kimbrough. “I passed on several opportunities tonight and I know I need to get the ball up more to help us stay in the game.
The Mystics scored just 27 points in the second half and finished with 24 turnovers
Washington will have a short time to regroup as they face Caitlin Clark and the 2-9 Fever tomorrow night at Capital One Arena in what is expected to be another packed house.
