NEW YORK, Aug. 8 (Ticker) -- Chamique Holdsclaw helped the Washington Mystics end their losing streak in the nick of time.

Holdsclaw collected 22 points and 15 rebounds and reserve Helen Luz nailed a pair of key 3-pointers as the Mystics halted a seven-game slide with a 65-54 victory over the New York Liberty in the opener of a home-and-home series.

Bothered by a pair of sprained ankles, Holdsclaw made just 5-of-15 shots from the field. But she was 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, where Washington outscored New York, 21-6.

The Liberty, who clinched a playoff berth when Orlando lost at home to Sacramento, whittled a 14-point deficit to 45-42 on a jumper by Tari Phillips with 8:50 to play. They had two chances to tie, but Becky Hammon and Crystal Robinson missed 3-pointers.

Luz connected twice from beyond the arc at the other end for her only points of the game, restoring the Mystics' lead to 51-42 with just under five minutes remaining.

Coco Miller chipped in 16 points for Washington, which also ended a seven-game losing streak against New York and can move back into a tie for first place by defeating the Liberty at home on Friday.

Phillips finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds but committed five of her team's 14 turnovers. She was 10-of-15 from the field, but the rest of the Liberty were just 12-of-44.