The Sun Also Rises. The Mystics wasted little time tonight demonstrating why they are a playoff team and San Antonio is not, defeating the Silver Stars 91-79 in a game where the outcome was never in doubt. All five of the Mystics' starters scored in double figures. Alana Beard led all scorers with 22, while her Mom watched from the front row. Chasity Melvin wasn't far behind AB in scoring (18 points), and with 11 rebounds, notched another double double. Coco Miller started in place of the injured Crystal Robinson, and her contributions on both ends of the floor were much appreciated, not just by the regular fans but also by her parents, who like Mrs. Beard were in attendance tonight. Nikki T dished out a phenomenal 11 assists to go along with 14 points of her own. DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half, to help put the Mystics up by 11 points at the break.

The Mystics' win over San Antonio tonight was D.C.'s 17th W of the season, tying a franchise record. (Sad, isn't it, that in 8 seasons, the Mystics have never won more than 17 games in one season?) The Mystics have two games left not only to set a new franchise record for the number of wins, but also to do something they've only done once before in franchise history -- finish the regular season with a winning record.

While tonight's Mystics win had no bearing on their playoff position, the Connecticut Sun locked up first place in the East by virtue of their (predictable) win over the Chicago Sky and Detroit's (not so predictable) 2-point loss to the Seattle Storm. This means that the Mystics will be playing the Sun in the first round of the playoffs, with game one at the Phone Booth on Friday, Aug. 18.