Mystics coach Richie Adubato said after Monday’s practice the one thing his team lacked in the early part of the season was a “grind-it-out” win.
The Mystics responded by getting exactly that Tuesday night, overcoming a first-half deficit to beat the Charlotte Sting, 80-70, in front of 8,004 at Verizon Center. The win extended their unbeaten streak at home to five games.
“We had to fight our way back the majority of the game,” Mystics forward DeLisha Milton-Jones said. “This win lets us know that we can win under some pressure and under duress.”
The Sting (2-5), led by Tangela Smith’s season-high 24 points, were hindered by the loss of two starters to injury – Tammy Sutton-Brown and Helen Darling – in the second half.
Washington (5-3) got off to an uncharacteristically sluggish start, shooting just 5 for 18 from the field en route to a season-low 13 points in the first quarter.
The second half was a different story. Washington outscored Charlotte, 53-33.
“When we came out in the second half we ran through every option on our first play and as a result we got a great shot,” Mystics guard Alana Beard said.
That “great shot” was a three pointer by Mystics point guard Nikki Teasley that tied the game at 37. Teasley scored a team-high 19 points, including eight in the fourth quarter.
The Mystics’ 33 points in the fourth quarter ties the season-high for points in a quarter by any team in the league.
The Mystics and Sting meet again Thursday night in Charlotte.
