WNBA Washington Mystics

Mystics Messenger

Published on September 13, 2004 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release


2000 Club: Chasity Melvin had 11 points against the Houston Comets on September 12th and her 2,000th career point. Melvin is just the second Mystic to record 2,000 points. Melvin had 1,741 points going into the season and has 261 points this season. Melvin is currently averaging 8.4 ppg and 3.5 rpg.

Beard – Rookie of the Year Candidate: Alana Beard has proven to be one of the best rookies in the WNBA. In Washington's last three home victories, Beard shot 54% from the field and averaged 22.3 ppg. Beard also averaged 5.7 rpg and 4.0 apg. Against the best team in the East, Beard had a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds. Beard also added five assists against the New York Liberty. Beard had nine consecutive games in double figures. Beard had a career high 27 points at Sacramento on 7/18. She had a near perfect game against Minnesota on July 23rd. Beard was 8-for-9 from the field and 7-for-7 from the line. She's averaging 12.2 ppg, 4.10 rpg, 2.5 asp and 2.06 spg.

Beard – Defensive Player of the Year Candidate: Beard is also one of the most defensive players in the league. Beard's seven steals on 7/28 versus Detroit was the most by any WNBA player this season. Beard is currently No. 3 in the league with 2.06 steals per game. Beard leads the team with 64 steals and 29 blocks. Beard leads all rookies in steals per game. Beard is currently tied with former Mystics player Vicky Bullet for most steals in a season. Bullet set the record in 2000.

Make That a Double: Against the New York Liberty on September 9th, Nakia Sanford had her second career double-double. Sanford was 5-for-9 from the field with 11 points and 13 rebounds. This was the second consecutive game that Sanford grabbed 13 rebounds. Sanford had her first career double-double versus Connecticut on July 30th. She had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Good TV: The Mystics have had nine games broadcasted on television so far this season. Washington currently holds a 7-2 record when the team is on television. The Mystics have two more games left on its broadcast schedule.

Most Improved Player Candidate: What a difference a year makes for Nakia Sanford. This season alone she has set a career high in every single category.

Points – 13 vs. Connecticut 7/30/04

FG Made – 6 vs. Connecticut 7/30/04

FG Attempted – 9 vs. New York 9/9/04

FT Made – 6 vs. Seattle 7/7/04

FT Attempted – 7 vs. Seattle 7/7/04

Offensive Rebounds – 4 vs. Connecticut 7/30/04

Defensive Rebounds – 10 vs. New York 9/9/04

Total Rebounds – 13 vs. Sacramento 9/7/04 and New York 9/9/04

Assists – 4 vs. Houston 9/12/04

Steals – 3 vs. Los Angeles 7/21/04

Minutes – 39 vs. New York 9/9/04

Double Figures: The Mystics win over Sacramento on 9/7 marked the seventh time this season that four players scored in double figures. The Mystics are 4-3 when four players score in double figures.

Home Sweet Home: The Mystics have already played 17 games at home and currently lead the WNBA in home attendance. So far this season, 214,448 fans have come to MCI Center. Washington's averaging 12,615 fans. Washington's victory over Houston on September 12th improved its overall home record to 11-6 and its home record versus Western teams to 6-1.

Ticket Information:

Playoff Tickets are currently on sale at MCI Center's Box Office, calling TicketMaster Phone Charge at (202)397-SEAT or by visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.

First Round Playoff Schedule:

Friday, September 24th One East/ First Round Game 1

Saturday, September 25th One East/ First Round Game 1

Sunday, September 26th One East/ First Round Game 2

Monday, September 27th One East/ First Round Game 2

Tuesday, September 28th One East/ First Round Game 3*

Wednesday, September 29th One East/ First Round Game 3*

*If necessary

Game Schedule:

Regular Season TV Radio

September 15th @ San Antonio 8:00 p.m. SportsTalk 1260

September 17th @ Phoenix 10:00 p.m. SportsTalk1260

September 19th @ New York 4:00 p.m. SportsTalk 1260

Practice and Shootaround Schedule*

September 15th 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. SBC Center

September 16th 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. SBC Center

September 17th 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. America West Arena

September 18th 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. MSG

September 19th 9:30 a.m.-10:30 A.m. MSG

*Schedule is subject to change.

Mystics Notes

WNBA PLAYOFF RACE, TEAMS SHOWN IN PLAYOFF-ORDER

EASTERN CONFERENCE

GAMES REMAINING VS TIE

CONF W/L VS REMAINING OVER/UNDER 500 BREAK

RK TEAM W-L PCT W-L GB >=500 TOT(H/A) CONF >=500 <500 BASIS

1 CHA 16-15 .516 8-10 - 7-8 3 (1/2) 2 1 2 1

2 CT 16-15 .516 12-5 - 5-9 3 (2/1) 3 2 1 -

3 NY 15-15 .500 7-9 0.5 8-7 4 (2/2) 4 1 3 -

4 WAS 15-16 .484 9-10 1 8-10 3 (0/3) 1 2 1 2

5 IND 15-16 .484 8-10 1 8-9 3 (1/2) 2 3 0 x

6 DET 15-17 .469 9-9 1.5 7-11 2 (2/0) 2 2 0 x

WESTERN CONFERENCE

GAMES REMAINING VS TIE

CONF W/L VS REMAINING OVER/UNDER 500 BREAK

RK TEAM W-L PCT W-L GB >=500 TOT(H/A) CONF >=500 <500 BASIS

1 w-LA 23- 8 .742 14-5 - 10-4 3 (2/1) 3 3 0 -

2 p-SEA 18-13 .581 12-8 5 7-8 3 (2/1) 2 2 1 -

3 MIN 17-14 .548 11-8 6 7-8 3 (0/3) 3 1 2 -

4 PHO 16-14 .533 10-9 6.5 8-8 4 (2/2) 3 2 2 -

5 SAC 15-16 .484 9-10 8 9-11 3 (2/1) 3 1 2 x

6 HOU 12-18 .400 6-12 10.5 6-12 4 (2/2) 4 2 2 x

7 e-SA 8-24 .250 6-16 15.5 4-16 2 (2/0) 0 1 1 x

Check out the Washington Mystics Statistics

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 13, 2004


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