One that Got Away

We have to admit that we were more than a little apprehensive as we headed to the Phone Booth this evening. The Mystics would be facing the Conference-leading Atlanta Dream for the first time this year. Atlanta started the season by reeling off six straight wins, before picking up two losses this week. So the Dream were coming into tonight's game eager to snap that losing streak and get back on track. Not only that, but Atlanta is a BIG team (four players 6'4" or taller), not to mention athletic and talented, making them a tough opponent no matter when you play them.

But early on, the Mystics showed no signs of sharing our anxiety. Somehow, someway, the smaller Washington team managed to contain the Dream for the first three quarters . . . thanks in large measure to the Mystics' own (not quite so big) post players --Lang, Kia, and Chas -- and the play of PG Lindsey Harding. In fact, the Mystics led by 10 at one point during the third quarter, and were up by 8 as the final period began.

But the Mystics were unable to contain the Dream during the fourth quarter. As Atlanta repeatedly pounded the ball inside and scored, Washington's lead slipped away. With about 20 seconds left in the game, the Dream were up by 3 and things were looking grim for the Mystics, but Matee Ajavon hit a clutch 3-pointer (one of only 2 shots made from beyond the arc by the Mystics tonight) to tie the game at 75 and send it into overtime.

Unfortunately, the Mystics saved their worst basketball for the extra period. Although they had taken relatively good care of the ball for the 40 minutes of regulation, they were not able to hang onto it during the OT . . . they had as many turnovers in that extra five minutes as they had points. The Dream capitalized on Washington's turnovers, outscoring the Mystics 11-4 during OT and left with the win, 86-79.

It was an exciting game to watch (at least for the first 40 minutes), but of course disappointing in the end for the Mystics and their fans. Five Mystics finished in double figures, led by Lang, who tied for game-high honors with 23 (also tying her career high). With the exception of Lindsey, who hit 50% from the field and scored 14 points, the Mystics' guards suffered from subpar nights (all hit 30% or less). And between the OT TOs and the poor perimenter shooting, the Mystics allowed the chance to gain ground on the conference leader to slip away. Come playoff time, close losses -- at home -- like these are what dreams nightmares are made of.

Next up for the Mystics is a trip to Chicago for a Friday matchup against the Sky, who've won their last four games after a slow start. Then on Saturday, the Mystics return home to face the Liberty again at 7 PM at the Phone Booth.

Go Mystics . . . Beat the Sky (and then the Liberty)!

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Sunday Morning Update . . . . In addition to her game story, which we've linked above, Katie Carrera has a blog post, here, containing post-game quotes from some of the Mystics. Ironically, the players who are the harshest on themselves are Lang, Kia, and Chas, the players most responsible for keeping the team in the game last night and nearly getting the win. We appreciate that despite their own considerable efforts, they were not satisified with the outcome. We hope that the players whose contributions last night were lacking are likewise engaged in some self-critiquing today.