Lured by the enticement of a weeklong All-Star break following Tuesday night’s game against Minnesota at Verizon Center, the Washington Mystics tried very hard to check out early twice.
But after failing to build an adequate lead in both the first and third quarters, the Mystics finally got the job done in overtime, striding proudly into the midseason holiday with two straight wins after a 91-83 victory over the Lynx.
Nakia Sanford led Washington (7-12) with a season-high 23 points and 10 rebounds, including 17 in the third quarter, in which the Mystics scored a season-best 32 points.
Alana Beard had 13 points, including two buckets during an 8-2 run to open the extra stanza, and DeLisha Milton-Jones has 12 points and a season-high five steals. Both will play in Sunday’s WNBA All-Star game at Verizon Center.
Despite Svetlana Abrosimova’s season-high 20 points and another 16 from All-Star Seimone Augustus, the Lynx (5-15) lost their fifth straight and lost rookie standout Lindsey Harding (seven points, five assists) with a knee injury early in the third quarter.
The Mystics took a 13-2 lead into the game’s first timeout, but the Lynx clawed their way back and closed the half with their own 7-0 run to go ahead, 43-37. They did the same again in the fourth quarter, erasing a 15-point deficit to tie the game, 79-79, at the end of regulation.
Net Notes
» In addition to the Mystics’ two representatives on the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, team officials said Laurie Koehn was set to participate in the 3-point shootout and Nikki Teasley was entered in the skills competition.
» Washington made 27 consecutive free throws before Nikki Blue missed two just before the end of the third quarter.
» U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be the recipient of the 2007 WNBA Inspiration Award, WNBA President Donna Orender announced Tuesday. Rice will receive the WNBA award, which recognizes an individual who inspires others through her commitment and dedication to work, family and community, at the league’s second annual All-Star Salute: Inspiring Women Luncheon on Friday in D.C.
