Mystics-Shock Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Jun 17 2011 2:05PM

The Washington Mystics and Tulsa Shock rank as two of the worst defensive teams in the league, resulting in slow starts for both.

While the visiting Mystics look to bounce back from another disappointing loss, the injury-plagued Shock try again for their first win Saturday night.

Washington (1-3), which trailed Chicago 25-13 after the first quarter of last Saturday's 84-77 defeat, got off to another sluggish start Thursday and fell behind by as many as 17 in the first half of a 79-71 loss to Connecticut.

"You fight so hard to come back and by the time you're there, you've used all that energy," said Kelly Miller, who scored a team-high 19 points. "So we have to learn ways to not dig ourselves into that hole."

The Mystics are allowing opponents to shoot a WNBA-high 49.8 percent from the field and surrendering an average of 85.5 points - the third-highest mark in the league.

"It's a matter of us changing our mindset and getting out and getting some stops early," coach Trudi Lacey said. "... We've got to especially play defense consistently for 40 minutes. Defense has to be a staple. If our offense is not going, it can't affect our defense, and thats exactly what's happening."

The Shock (0-5) have also had trouble on the defensive end. Tulsa is being outscored by a league-worst 16.0 points per game, and its opponents' 48.6 percent shooting ranks second-worst to Washington.

Despite the absence of star rookie Liz Cambage (concussion), the Shock trailed by just one after three quarters Tuesday but lost 82-74 at Indiana.

Tulsa, which has four rookies and three second-year players on its roster, is off to its worst start since opening a franchise-worst 0-13 in Detroit in 2002.

"Still seeking that first win, but seeking it with a bunch of youngsters," coach Nolan Richardson said. "We are a very young team. "We had three key possessions going down the stretch (Tuesday) where I thought we got into our offense too late and didn't get good shots."

Cambage, drafted No. 2 overall and averaging 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds, is listed as day-to-day and her status for this game is unclear.

The Shock added center Jacinta Monroe to their roster Thursday. Monroe was selected sixth overall by the Mystics in last year's draft but averaged just 2.1 points in limited minutes for Washington.

"What she brings is some size," Richardson told the Shock's official website. "When Cambage went down, it exposed us and our lack of size. She's bringing size, she can run the floor and block some shots."

Tulsa is also without starting forward Amber Holt, who is expected to miss up to five more weeks after breaking her left thumb during a 75-65 loss at Minnesota on June 7.

The Shock had taken six straight in this series before losing four of the last five - including two defeats last season by an average of 20.0 points.

Latta scores 22 as Shock beat Mystics for 1st win

Posted Jun 19 2011 12:31AM

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Ivory Latta scored 14 of her 22 points in the third quarter to lead the Tulsa Shock to their first win of the season, 77-59 over the Washington Mystics on Saturday night.

Sheryl Swoopes had 13 points, Kayla Pedersen and Jennifer Lacy added 12 each and rookie Liz Cambage scored 10 for the Shock (1-5). Tulsa, which had its largest margin of victory since moving from Detroit before last season, was off to the worst start in franchise history since opening 0-13 in 2002.

The Shock improved to 1-1 at home eight days after a 93-62 loss to San Antonio.

``We disappointed the fans in our last game,'' said Latta, who had just two turnovers.

Asked if she was more proud of her 22 points or two turnovers, Latta said: ``I'm more proud of the win. Twenty-two is something I had to do to help us win. Two turnovers? I'll take that.''

Marissa Coleman scored 12 points - on 4 3-pointers in the first half - Crystal Langhorne had 12 points and 12 rebounds and Karima Christmas added 11 points for the Mystics (1-4), who lost their third straight.

After Nicky Anosike's layup pulled the Mystics to 57-55 with 7:49 left in the fourth quarter, the Shock closed wwith a 20-4 run. Pedersen had seven points during the spurt and Swoopes had six.

``Sheryl's knees dictate how many minutes she can play,'' Richardson said. ``Tonight, she finished strong, as did Pedersen. Of course, Latta had that huge third period.''

Swoopes, who played nearly 28 minutes, added: ``My (left) knee feels good. The doctors and training staff are doing a good job with it. I knew we could play this well. We've done it in practice. It was just a matter of when we would do it in a game. I kept hoping, wishing, praying it was just a matter of time.''

Washington is still without star guard Alana Beard, out with a sprained left foot.

With the Shock trailing 32-26 at halftime, Latta scored the first eight points of the third quarter - on a layup sandwiched between two 3-pointers - over the first 1 1/2 minutes.

Washington tied it on two free throws by Anosike, but Pedersen hit a jumper and Latta made another 3 to put Tulsa up five and the Shock didn't relinquish the lead again. Latta's fourth 3 of the third extended the lead to 44-37 near the midpoint of the quarter.

``I'm very happy,'' Richardson said. ``We had been playing well on the road the last two games. The difference was our starting chemistry. In the first half, we were playing more 1-on-1 basketball.

``In the second half we saw that the cutting game was open and we ran it.''

Cambage, who early in the season had trouble completing the scoring play when she was fouled, had three-point plays on consecutive possessions in the third quarter.

``I'm happy that I'm finishing,'' she said. ``I guess maybe when Tiff (Tiffany Jackson) wacked me in the head, she knocked some sense into me.''

• Mystics: --
• Shock: --

• Mystics: --
• Shock: --

• Lead Changes: 6
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
• Officials: #38 Lamont Simpson, #28 Angellica Suffren, #13 Cameron Inouye
• Attendance: 4423
• Duration: 1:50