INDIANAPOLIS, July 29 (Ticker) -- The Indiana Fever got what they wanted, but not the way they wanted it.

Alana Beard scored 21 points to lift the Washington Mystics to a 74-67 victory over the Indiana Fever, who still clinched their third playoff berth in franchise history nonetheless.

Indiana (16-10), currently in third place, gained an Eastern Conference playoff spot when the Charlotte Sting lost to the New York Liberty earlier on Saturday.

Beard shot 9-of-14 from the floor to help offset six turnovers. DeLisha Milton-Jones added 19 points the Mystics, who shot 49 percent (27-for-55) from the field.

Washington, which trails Indiana by 2 1/2 games after its second straight win, opened up a 20-10 lead after the first quarter thanks to six Indiana turnovers.

Trailing, 56-42, after three quarters, the Fever went on an 8-1 run to open the final period, and later sliced the deficit to 71-65 on Tully Bevilaqua's 3-pointer with 26 seconds left. But, Milton-Jones hit two free throws to ice the victory.

Tan White scored 18 points to lead the Fever, who shot 41 percent (25-for-61) from the field. Tamika Catchings added 17.

The loss was Indiana's third in 11 home games.