Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
The Mystics returned to action tonight in D.C after the WNBA All Star break and it was a bit off mess toward the end as the LA Sparks came to town and took their 4th straight victory 93-86.
Washington started this game with quite a bit of energy and got out to a 26-16 lead after the first quarter, but the big problem they had going in the second was the inability to get their All-Star Sonia Citron going.
Citron finished the game with just 7 points going 2 for 7 from the field.
Los Angeles embarked on a 9-1 run to trim its deficit to just two points. That run continued into halftime, with the Sparks taking the second quarter 24-9, taking a five-point lead into the break.
The Mystics used some solid second half play from another All-Star Brittany Sykes who was key in getting the Mystics back in the game after trailing since 1:55 in the second quarter, the Mystics tied the score at 67. Sykes finished the game with 18 points.
The big difference for the Sparks was their veteran leadership versus the Mystics vets late in the game. Derica Hamby hit three huge baskets in the final four minutes and finishing with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Kelsey Plum was again the x factor for the Sparks hitting a huge three pointer with 49.1 seconds remaining to put the game out of reach. This three by Plum, was one of the 13 that was hit tonight by the Sparks, who improve to 9-14 on the season.
There were a few positive things from the game tonight. Washington’s 26 first quarter points were just three shy of their season-high 29 (June 16 at Las Vegas).
Washington falls to 11-12 on the season tonight and needs every victory they can get to stay alive in the playoff push. Even with the loss tonight the Mystics are neck and neck with the Fever, who also lost tonight to the Liberty and the Valkyries, who sit just one half of a game behind the Mystics for that final spot.
