PHOENIX, July 2 (Ticker) -- The Washington Mystics did the unthinkable - win a game on the road without Alana Beard.

Chasity Melvin scored 20 points as the Mystics erased a fourth-quarter deficit to post a surprising 81-78 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, their first win on a four-game road trip.

NBA TV highlights from Mystics-Mercury: Play

Washington erased a 17-point deficit and improved to 2-7 on the road, snapping its three-game losing streak with Beard out of the lineup. The team's leading scorer at 18.9 points per game, Beard suffered a right ankle sprain in Saturday's setback to Los Angeles.

Trailing, 73-65, with 6:41 remaining, the Mystics put together a 10-0 run capped by a three-point play by Melvin for a 75-73 lead with 3:48 to go. However, Kelly Miller put the Mercury in front, 78-77, with 1:39 left.

Nikki Teasley, who collected 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists, responded with a jumper on the ensuing possession to put Washington in front for good. She added a layup with 19 seconds remaining after an offensive board by Crystal Robinson.

After a timeout, Diana Taurasi and Kamila Vodichkova both missed potential game-tying 3-pointers for Phoenix.

Robinson had 15 points and Nakia Sanford added 14 for Washington, which held a 41-25 advantage in rebounds.

Rookie Cappie Pondexter scored 25 points and Taurasi added 22 for the Mercury, who set a franchise record with 13 3-pointers but tallied just 29 second-half points.