Sky-Mystics Preview

By MIKE LIPKA
Posted Jul 17 2010 1:34PM

As the Washington Mystics try to bounce back from their second loss in 10 games, there's nowhere they'd rather be than the Verizon Center.

The Mystics hope for a sixth consecutive home win as they begin a string of three straight in the nation's capital Sunday against the Chicago Sky.

Washington (12-6) had been one of the WNBA's hottest teams before losing 75-67 at New York on Thursday. Even though their four-game winning streak was snapped, the Mystics remain in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference - thanks in large part to their 7-1 home record.

Their five-game home winning streak includes a 65-61 overtime triumph over Chicago on June 19, and back-to-back victories over 2009 WNBA finalists Phoenix and Indiana on June 27 and 29.

Crystal Langhorne continues to lead the Mystics' resurgence, averaging 21.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in her last seven games overall. She had 19 points and 10 boards against the Liberty for her eighth double-double.

"She just does whatever we need her to do," Washington coach Julie Plank said. "She is the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. She is totally unselfish and gives our team a lot of confidence."

Chicago (10-11) is also powered by a young interior player, as Sylvia Fowles has posted six double-doubles in her last seven games, averaging 17.3 points and 13.1 rebounds in that stretch.

Fowles was among six Sky players to score at least 10 points in a 80-68 win over Los Angeles on Friday night. She also had 10 rebounds, helping Chicago outrebound the Sparks 39-23 as the team won for the sixth time in nine games.

"The confidence level is going up," Sky coach Steven Key said. "You start to see more smiles. Every now and then they'll make a mistake, but at least it's not two or three mistakes in a row and somebody makes a run.

"It's a confidence boost all the way around when you win."

The Sky have lost their last three trips to Washington, although they pushed the Mystics to the limit last month. Washington's 39-24 rebounding edge may have been the difference, as Fowles was Chicago's only player to grab more than three.

"We gave up 16 offensive rebounds and I think 10 or 11 in the second half," Key said after that game. "We did a very good job of defending them, but we just didn't clean up the play and finish it."

Fowles has 13 points as Sky beat Mystics 61-59

Posted Jul 18 2010 7:11PM

WASHINGTON(AP) Sylvia Fowles scored 13 points, including the go-ahead inside basket, to help the Chicago Sky to a 61-59 victory over the Washington Mystics on Sunday.

Dominique Canty scored 11 points and Jia Perkins added 10 for the Sky (11-11), who won three straight for the first time since they won four in a row from May 27 and June 5. Fowles also had 11 rebounds for her sixth straight double double.

Crystal Langhorne scored 12 points and Marissa Coleman added 11 for Washington (12-7),

which lost two straight for the first time since losing three in a row in late May.

After three lead changes in the fourth, Fowles took Erin Thorn's inside feed and muscled in a layup from the left low block to put the Sky up 59-58 with 1:20 to play.

Fowles' putback less than two minutes before had cut it to 58-57, and her block of Langhorne on Washington's next possession kept the deficit at one.

After Chicago went ahead, Lindsey Harding had a layup blocked by Catherine Kraayeveld and Katie Smith missed a long jumper for Washington.

Thorn's free throws for Chicago made it 61-58 with 7 seconds left. Harding was fouled shooting a 3 with 2 seconds left, but missed two of three foul shots.

Washington trailed by eight points at halftime, but took a 54-53 lead after Langhorne's jumper capped a 10-1 run with 7:55 to play.

• Sky: --
• Mystics: --

• Sky: --
• Mystics: --

• Lead Changes: 7
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
• Officials: #39 Michael Price, #13 Cameron Inouye, #45 Tom Mauer
• Attendance: 8790
• Duration: 1:55