Mystics Update
Published on August 8, 2011 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release
Mystics Recap:
The Washington Mystics broke a four-game losing streak and won their second home game of this season, the first against an Eastern Conference team this season, defeating the New York Liberty 91-81 on Saturday. The Mystics led by as much as 22 points in a game that featured just one tie and one lead change. The Mystics scored a season high 26 points in the first quarter and a season high 50 points in the first half. Their previous records were 24 points and 41 points, respectively. The Mystics shot 28-for-29 from the free throw line, shooting a season high 96.6% from the charity stripe. The Mystics were led by guard Matee Ajavon who scored her 1,000th career point at 4:57 into the first quarter. "I feel it is a great accomplishment. I still have ways to go," Ajavon said on scoring her 1,000th point. Ajavon would finish with 18 points in the first half and a season high (ties career high) 32 points in the Mystics win. Ajavon shot 10-for-16 from the field, 10-for-11 from the free throw line, and 2-for-5 from three-point range. The Mystics outrebounded the Liberty 18-7 in the first half and 32-20 overall. Mystics forwards Crystal Langhorne and Nicky Anosike pulled down nine rebounds apiece in the Mystics win. Langhorne added 20 points for the Mystics including shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. The Liberty were led by guard Cappie Pondexter who scored 21 points and dished out seven assists. Forward Plenette Pierson added 20 points in the Liberty loss.
Open Mic:
WASHINGTON MYSTICS HEAD COACH TRUDI LACEY:
Overall thoughts on the game:
"It was our best game of the season. We played consistently for two halves. I thought we did an outstanding job on the boards, 32-20 [rebounds]. We shot the ball well, 50% from the floor. We took care of the ball for the most part, but I think the main thing for this team is that they have continued to work and get better and play together. They've got a lot of fight in them and they continued to fight, especially when things were not going their way. It was a good win for us."
Game of the Week:
Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream, Tuesday, August 9th, 7:00 p.m.
August is a busy month for the Mystics as well as for Eastern Conference rivalries. This week, the team's schedule includes games against the Atlanta Dream, the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun.
The Mystics hope to get revenge on the Atlanta Dream, who swept Washington in the first round of the playoffs last season. In a five-game series this season, the teams are tied at 1-1, but the Dream are ahead of the Mystics by four games and are 6-4 in their last 10 contests. The team has All-Star Angel McCoughtry, who is the second leading scorer in the league, averaging 19.9 points per game. The Mystics then host the New York Liberty on August 12. In a dominating performance against the Liberty on August 6, the Mystics won 91-81, and guard Matee Ajavon recorded a season-high of 32 points and her 1000th career point. The victory tied the season series at one. Despite the loss, All-Star guard Cappie Pondexter didn't disappoint and isn't likely to slow down her MVP-worthy performances this season. She averages 17.1 points per game and 4.3 assists per game. Expect another battle of quickness and strength between Ajavon and Pondexter.
Mystics Milestones:
Guard Matee Ajavon scored her 1,000th career point 4:57 into the first quarter in a 91-81 win over the New York Liberty at home on August 6. Guard Kelly Miller is 24 rebounds away from reaching 1,000 career rebounds. Forward/center Nicky Anosike surpassed 1,000 career points, scoring 16 points in the Mystics loss to the Connecticut Sun on June 4. Prior to that game, Anosike was only five points away from 1,000 points at the beginning of her fourth year in the league .
Take Care of Home:
The Mystics have been struggling on their home court, currently 2-7 at home and 1-5 at home against Eastern Conference teams. The Mystics face the Atlanta Dream at home tonight looking for back-to-back wins at home for the first time this season after defeating the New York Liberty 91-81 on August 6.
Most Improved:
Ajavon is making her presence felt so far this season, ranking second on the team in scoring with 15.7 points per game (first in total points-282) and averages 30.9 minutes per game. Last season, Ajavon only averaged 5.9 points per game (199 total) and 14.6 minutes per game. Ajavon is contributing 3.3 assists per game and set a career high seven assists against the Seattle Storm on July 12. Ajavon is fifth in the league with 1.94 steals per game and set a career high five steals against the Phoenix Mercury on July 15. Ajavon is 16th in the league in free throw percentage (.850), shooting 68-for-80 from the charity stripe.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 8, 2011
- Deuce Brand Becomes Newest Corporate Partner of Los Angeles Sparks - Los Angeles Sparks
- Mystics Update - Washington Mystics
- Lynx Notebook - Minnesota Lynx
- Lynx Guard Seimone Augustus Named Western Conference Player of the Week Again - Minnesota Lynx
- Connecticut's Charles, Minnesota's Augustus Named Players of the Week - WNBA
- Tammy Sutton-Brown to Launch First Children's Book - Indiana Fever
- Pink Jerseys to be Worn as Fever Celebrates Breast Health Awareness Night - Indiana Fever
- Silver Stars Weekly Update - San Antonio Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
