Mystics Update
July 11, 2011 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release
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Monday, July 11, 2011
Mystics Recap:
Washington Mystics Drop Third Straight Against Indiana Fever
The Mystics started the game against the Fever leading by 10 points, 24-14, shooting 10-for-19. Defense was a key factor as the Mystics forced the Fever to 10 turnovers in the game. The Mystics were up 33-25 at the half. As the second half opened, the Fever began to make a comeback. The Mystics, who were trying to prevent a three game losing streak, would still lead at the end of the third quarter. It wasn't until an early fourth quarter steal by Fever's Tamika Catchings, that the Mystics began to trail. Catchings responded to the Mystics defense by making five steals in the fourth quarter alone, becoming the WNBA's all-time steals leader. Nicky Anosike led Washington with 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. Marissa Coleman had 11 points and nine rebounds, another team high for the Mystics. The Mystics ended the game with 20 turnovers and were scoreless in the closing five minutes of the game.
Mystics Open Five-Game Road Trip with a Loss to the Sky
Plagued by injuries, the Washington Mystics faced another loss to the Chicago Sky, 78-65, this past Tuesday night. Starting forward Crystal Langhorne sat out once again due to a sore back. All-Star Alana Beard has been out with an ankle sprain and Monique Currie, who suffered a torn ACL will be out all season. Marissa Coleman scored 14 points and added four rebounds. Nicky Anosike grabbed a team high 10 boards. Guard Matee Ajavon and Jasmine Thomas both scored 11 points in the team's loss. The Mystics started strong with defensive pressure forcing the Sky to nine turnovers and only eight field goals in the first 12 minutes. The Sky, who have lost three straight previous games, opened with a 15-12 lead. The Mystics made an early come back in the second quarter after Anosike's free tied the game at 19. During the fourth quarter the Sky maintained a 16-point lead, shooting 13-10 in the first five minutes. The Mystics would respond by cutting the deficit to 10 points, 73-63, with two minutes remaining in the game. The Sky's Sylvia Fowles dominated the game with a season-high 34 points and 16 rebounds. 20 of her points were scored in the second quarter. Fowles is the WNBA's leading scorer with 20.4 points per games this season.
Open Mic:
WASHINGTON MYSTICS HEAD COACH TRUDI LACEY
Overall thoughts on the game against the Fever: "I thought we played well for three quarters. Indiana came out physical and tough in the second half. It was about execution and we had too many turnovers for them to make easy baskets."
WASHINGTON MYSTICS FORWARD/CENTER NICKY ANOSIKE
Overall thoughts on the game against the Fever: "The message after the game was take the good stuff, the good stuff being defense. We kept them to 25 at the half. Our defense is getting better. 25 points at the half is crazy, crazy. Defense is a great thing to be successful. We've got to keep our poise and try to improve."
Game of the Week:
Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm, Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Washington Mystics have a tough road week ahead, and it starts with the defending Champion Seattle Storm on Tuesday. The Storm (6-4) beat the Mystics (2-8) in the teams' first meeting on July 3rd with a score of 73-63. The Mystics had a late-game surge, but flat shooting and turnovers in the second quarter gave the Storm a big enough lead to secure the win. Seattle is fresh off a huge win on Saturday against their rivals, the L.A. Sparks. Swin Cash led the team with 26 points and Tanisha Wright had 21. Sue Bird added 17 points and a team-high eight rebounds. The second-half scoring spree came with the team watching their turnovers and focusing back on their defense. In the matchup against the Mystics on July 3rd, Cash and Wright had 17 points and Bird scored 19. The Storm will be without 2010 MVP Lauren Jackson for the sixth game in a row.
The Mystics have seen a lot of adversity so far in this first half of the season with three injured players. Players like rookies Karima Christmas and Victoria Dunlap have had to speed up their learning curves, as they've been relied upon to fill those gaps. Christmas is a small forward who can shoot the three and provide a physical presence down low. She has 14 rebounds in the last five games and scored a season-high 13 points against Indiana on June 21. Dunlap has been starting for Langhorne and has quickly adjusted to the role. In just three games starting, she's accumulated 36 points, 19 rebounds, 11 steals and four blocks, shooting .640 from the field. She's already become one of the league leaders in total steals with 17. It will take energy from the rookies and the bench for the Mystics to break their three-game losing streak on this West Coast road trip.
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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 11, 2011
- Mystics Update - Washington Mystics
- Fever Kids Day Dollar Deal - Just $1 for Kids on Wednesday Afternoon - Indiana Fever
- New York's Pondexter, Seattle's Bird Named Players of the Week - WNBA
- Catchings and Douglas Featured in Three Upcoming Fever Bobblehead Nights - Indiana Fever
- Nancy Lieberman Visits Silver Stars Tuesday - San Antonio Stars
- WNBA, Growums Partner to Promote Healthy Lifestyle with Camp Days this Summer - WNBA
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