Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
After the last game when the Mystics seemed to have a new level fire behind the team, we said they could win a couple more games quickly before the WNBA All Star break, we didn’t think it would be against the best team in the W tonight… the Minnesota Lynx especially after being down by as many a 14 points in the first half, it simply did not look very good.
The big difference tonight for the Mystic was that the Lynx were careless with the ball in the second half and really let the turnovers become the tail of this game.
Washington had control right before the half 29-24 with just under 8 minutes left. From that point both teams played pretty even basketball, and it was the Mystics used their 15 points off Lynx turnovers to take a small 39-37 lead into halftime.
The major difference after break was the play of both Shakira Austin and Sug Sutton. Austin, who had seemed to really find her groove this season over the past few games led the way for the Mystics with19 points and eight rebounds. It also her third consecutive game with 15+ points and 5+ rebounds – the longest such streak of her career.
Sutton scored 12 points and had a career high 4 steals, which was a huge part in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
After the game Sutton was asked what the difference over the past few games was and how the Mystics are coming together.
“Our defense has been really good the past few games. I think that is what we are focusing on the most right now. Getting them to turn the ball over was huge for us tonight,” said Sutton.
The Lynx put up 64 points, their lowest of the season, and only had two players score in double digits were the front court starters in Alanna Smith and Jess Shepherd.
The Mystics hit the road for a three-game road trip which will feature a rematch against both Dallas and the Lynx before returning home on July 8th.
