Game Preview: Mystics vs. Liberty

MYSTICS PROBABLE STARTERS
#4 Marissa Coleman
Forward, 6-1, 160 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
10.8
5.9
1.6
#1 Crystal Langhorne
Forward, 6-2, 190 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
18.4
8.0
1.8
#21 Nicky Anosike
Center, 6-3, 210 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
9.6
9.1
1.4
#22 Matee Ajavon
Guard, 5-8, 160 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
14.9
1.9
3.3
#2 Kelly Miller
Guard, 5-10, 140 lbs
2010-11 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
8.5
2.5
3.7

GAME NOTES

  • This will be the first of four regular season meetings between the two teams this season.
  • Last time out... Mystics forward Crystal Langhorne led the Mystics with 19 points and seven rebounds but Washington fell to the Silver Stars 73-67. Langhorne was 6 for 8 from the field and 7 for 8 from the free throw line. Langhorne also collected three steals and blocked two shots in the Mystics loss.
  • Last time vs. New York...The teams matched up earlier this year in preseason play with the Mystics defeating the Liberty 60-57.
  • Last season, the Mystics won the regular season series 3-2 over the Liberty, both winning on their home courts. That record included a thrilling 75-74 win for the Mystics in front of their home crowd at Verizon Center on August 20, which gave the Mystics the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs.The Mystics were led by Matee Ajavon who scored 16 points, shooting 5 for 8 from the field and 6 for 6 from the free throw line in just 15 minutes of play.
  • Crystal Langhorne leads the team and is fifth in the league with 18.4 points per game.
  • Nicky Anosike leads the team and ranks fourth in the league in rebounds, grabbing 9.1 per game.
  • The Washington Mystics are currently in first place in the league in steals per game, averaging 9.13 so far this season. Guard Matee Ajavon is fourth in the league, collecting 2.07 steals per game.
  • Guard Matee Ajavon is 32 points away from reaching 1,000th career points. Guard Kelly Miller is 31 rebounds away from reaching 1,000 career rebounds.
  • Friendly Foes: Mystics guard Matee Ajavon and Liberty guards Cappie Pondexter, Essence Carson and Liberty center Kia Vaughn all played together at Rutgers. Mystics assistant coach Marianne Stanley coached both Ajavon and Carson during Rutgers National Championship game. Mystics assistant coach Laurie Byrd will coach against her former team after spending two seasons with the Liberty prior to joining the Mystics staff.
  • The game can be seen on Live Access at 7:00pm ET.
LIBERTY PROBABLE STARTERS
#33 Planette Pierson
Forward, 6-2, 180 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
13.3
5.2
1.1
#14 Nicole Powell
Forward, 6-2, 170 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
9.6
4.3
3.0
#15 Kia Vaughn
Center, 6-3, 198 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
11.9
7.4
1.1
#5 Leilani Mitchell
Guard, 5-5, 128 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
5.0
1.6
2.9
#23 Cappie Pondexter
Guard, 5-9, 160 lbs
2011 STATS
PPG
RPG
APG
17.3
3.9
4.9