Mystics Update
August 15, 2011 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release
Mystics Recap:
Ending with a buzzer-beater basket, the Atlanta Dream defeated the Mystics 72-70 on August 9. Matee Ajavon had a standout game leading all scorers with 28 points, rebounding four shots, and executing multiple game-changing plays. Forward Crystal Langhorne also had a stellar night adding 23 points and seven rebounds. However, it was forward Sancho Lyttle who stole the show for the Dream, sinking in a jump shot in the final 0.9 seconds of the game, claiming victory for her squad.
On August 12, the Mystics defeated the New York Liberty 64-63 at home for the
second time this season, now leading the series against the Liberty 2-1. The Liberty still remain winless against the Mystics on the road. The last time the Liberty saw a win at Verizon Center was on August 16, 2009. Langhorne led the Mystics scoring with 18 points and four rebounds. Ajavon added 13 points while the Mystics bench helped score 17 points of the Mystics total 64 points. The game featured nine lead changes and seven ties.
Hitting the road again after a four-game home stand, the Mystics fell to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday 75-82 at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Langhorne led all scorers with 17 points along with five rebounds. Coleman and Ajavon both posted 14 points and nine rebounds combined. Former Sun forward, DeMya Walker, scored 12 points, her season high since arriving with the Mystics.
Open Mic:
WASHINGTON MYSTICS HEAD COACH TRUDI LACEY:
Overall thoughts on the game versus New York:
"A hard fought game, we had to overcome several obstacles. In the first half we did not defend the threes very well. Like I've said about this team all season, they are a resilient group with a lot of fight in them. They continue to fight even though we got down in the second half we fought back and found the combination to get the defensive stops and make the plays offensively. Again I think we've lost several close games this season but it was nice to see our team execute the stop at the end and get the win."
Game of the Week:
Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx, Thursday, August 19th, 7:00 p.m.
Possibly the most anticipated team to come to Washington; the Minnesota Lynx will bring all the drama of a playoff game on August 18. The Lynx are currently the hottest team in the league, boasting the best record and the number one draft pick in Maya Moore. The team went on a nine-game winning streak towards the end of July and into August. Moore has proven herself to be one of the most capable and productive rookies in the WNBA this season. She leads all rookies in points with 13.3 per game as well as steals with 1.5 per game, ranks third in rebounds with 4.2 per game and third in assists with 2.8 per game. As one of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Lynx will be sure to bring their A-game on the team's only trip to Verizon Center this season. Starting her career and spending three seasons with Minnesota, starting forward Nicky Anosike will faceoff with her former teammates for the first time since her trade.
Beard to Miss Remainder of 2011 Season:
General Manager & Head Coach Trudi Lacey announced on August 10 that Mystics guard Alana Beard will miss the remainder of the 2011 season due to a left foot injury sustained during training camp. Beard re-aggravated the injury when practicing with the team last week. A four time WNBA All-Star, Beard missed the 2010 season with a left ankle injury. Her career averages include 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
Mystics' Most Improved:
New to the starting lineup due to injuries to forward Monique Currie and guard Alana Beard, Marissa Coleman and Matee Ajavon have stepped up to the plate in their absence. No longer in the shadow, but in the forefront, the duo has been putting up impressive numbers. Ajavon is making her presence felt so far this season. Ajavon ranks second on the team and tenth in the league in scoring with 16.0 points per game (first in total points-337) and averages 31.2 minutes per game. Ajavon has scored double digits in all but four games, posting 11 10+ points, five 20+ points and one 30+ points in a game. Ajavon has led the Mystics in scoring in five games and assists in nine games. Last season, Ajavon only averaged 5.9 points per game (199 total) and 14.6 minutes per game. Ajavon is contributing 3.2 assists per game and set a career high seven assists against the Seattle Storm on July 12. Ajavon is fifth in the league with 1.86 steals per game and set a career high five steals against the Phoenix Mercury on July 15. Ajavon is 20th in the league in free throw percentage (.840), shooting 84-for-100 from the charity stripe. Last season, Coleman averaged 6.5 points per game, 19.5 minutes per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, collected 112 total rebounds, and only started in one contest. This season, Coleman is third on the team in scoring putting up 10.1 points per game. Coleman also averages 30.5 minutes per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, has started in all 21 games, and has collected 128 total rebounds so far this season.
On The Road Again:
The Washington Mystics will take the road where they will face the New York Liberty for the last time this season. The Liberty are 8-4 at their temporary home at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Mystics are 2-8 on the road with their two wins coming in overtime victories over the Atlanta Dream and the Los Angeles Sparks earlier this season. After winning both home games against the Liberty, leading the series 2-1, the Mystics look to close out the series on top. The Mystics have not won a regular season game on the road against the Liberty since July 30, 2009.
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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 15, 2011
- Candace Parker Expected to Return to Action Tuesday Vs. Atlanta - Los Angeles Sparks
- Mystics Update - Washington Mystics
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- Sky Center Sylvia Fowles Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week - Chicago Sky
- Chicago's Fowles and Phoenix's Taurasi Named Players of the Week - WNBA
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