Mystics 67, Silver Stars 73

NOTEWORTHY:

  • -Mystics forward Crystal Langhorne led the Mystics with 19 points and seven rebounds. Langhorne scored 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.
  • The Mystics dropped to 3-12, 1-6 at home, and have lost eight of their last 10 games this season.
  • Mystics forward Marissa Coleman added 14 points for the Mystics, scoring eight of her points in the first quarter alone. Coleman shot 3-for-6 from three point range and collected seven rebounds.
  • Mystics rookie guard Jasmine Thomas played 29 minutes off the bench, scoring eight points and leading the team with five assists.
  • Despite shooting .538 from three point range, the Mystics committed 19 turnovers in a game that featured 14 lead changes and six ties.
  • The Mystics and Silver Stars were tied at 57 a piece at 6:43 into the fourth quarter but trailed from that point on.
  • The Silver Stars were led by guard Becky Hammon who led all scorers with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Hammon shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line, 6-for-13 from the field, and 3-for-6 from three point range.
  • The Silver Stars bench outscored the Mystics bench 35-13 and outrebounded the Mystics 32-30. Silver Stars center Jayne Appel led with 12 rebounds in 20 minutes of play.

    WASHINGTON MYSTICS HEAD COACH TRUDI LACEY:

    Overall thoughts on the game:
    �Again, tough game for us but a lot of positives. San Antonio is one of the best teams in the league. We hung with them really tough. Just some critical mistakes at the end. Some missed free throws. We missed a few lay ups, that really hurt us. For DeMya (Walker), not even having a practice, I thought she did pretty good. We have another post player coming off the bench with some experience, so that should help us. Our team continues to fight and get better. Look at the play, Jasmine Thomas continues to get better. I think we just have to stay positive, keep fighting and we are going to get some of these close wins.�

    On closing out games:
    �When you lose some close games, I think towards the end it makes you wonder a little bit. I thought we had overcame that against L.A. It�s really about consistency. Not to make an excuse, but I think that the lack of experience and when the pressure is on there are some mental mistakes and some bad decisions with the ball down the stretch. In every game, with exceptions to the Tulsa games, we had an opportunity to win. That is what we have to continue to do to give ourselves an opportunity to win. I think that once we blend in, Kerri (Gardin) and DeMaya get a little bit of experience, the wins will come.�

    MYSTICS FORWARD NICKY ANOSIKE:

    Overall thoughts on the game:
    �We know they have a well-balanced team so it was a lot of stopping their guards on the outside and when they did get inside, just being physical with them and not letting them get any shots. It was a lot of back-and-forth, but I think we play well when we�re up and down. I think we just have to be in a little bit more control and understand when and where to take certain shots. We always should win. These are games that are so win-able.�

    On rookie point guard Jasmine Thomas� role:
    �She�s been our backup point guard all season. She�s been pretty solid. Obviously as you become more and more solid you have more and more minutes. She�s earned the minutes and she�s proving herself while she�s out there. �

    Mystics at a glance:
    Points: Crystal Langhorne - 19
    Rebounds: Nicky Anosike -8
    Assists: Jasmine Thomas - 5
    Steals: Langhorne - 3

    SAN ANTONIO SILVER STARS HEAD COACH DAN HUGHES:

    Overall thoughts on game::
    �It was a hard fought game. I thought Washington played extremely well, give them credit. They battled everything we did, they had an answer for everything we did. I just thought down the stretch we were able to separate. Hammon had a key basket, Young had a key basket and Appel did a great job on the boards. I�m just glad to escape with a win because I thought this was a very even game. It could�ve been won either way.�

    Match-up between Becky Hammon and Matee Ajavon::
    �Wow. That was worth the price of admission. I thought Becky played an outstanding game and Ajavon absolutely makes a living against us, she�s really a good player. I just love the guard play of the league and small guard play. Becky and Ajavon are not your lengthy guards but both create some wonderful basketball for our people to enjoy.�

    SAN ANTONIO SILVER STARS GUARD BECKY HAMMON:

    Overall thoughts on the game:
    �Anytime we can get a road game win this late in the season, it�s a good night. We played very well defensively and that was key for us. Overall, it was a good victory for our team.�

    On turnovers throughout the game:::
    �We always want to create the turnovers, part of the time tonight, I think it was our defense, the other time I think it was just them and their mistakes. We need it to get a little sloppy, which is the style of basketball we want to play. Anytime we can keep that defensive pressure on them it gives us that many more opportunities, which is good for us.�

    Dream at a glance:
    Points: Becky Hammon - 22
    Rebounds: Jayne Appel - 12
    Assists: Danielle Robinson - 3
    Steals: Sophia Young, Hammon, Appel - 3

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