Unbelievable! For long stretches tonight, the Mystics played, to put it nicely, some pretty crappy basketball. They committed 25 turnovers (and gave up 23 points off those TOs); they dribbled the ball out of bounds; they failed to inbound the ball in the required 5 seconds. They committed (or at least were called for) 22 personal fouls. Washington trailed Indiana for practically the entire game. But you know what? In the end it didn't matter!
Thanks primarily to Lindsey Harding, who played OUT-OF-HER-MIND tonight (33 points . . . a new career high), THE MYSTICS WON, 77-73! With less than 5 minutes left in the 4th and the Mystics down by 7 (64-71), the Mystics Lindsey Harding went on a 13-2 run to: a) erase the Indy lead, b) pull the Mystics ahead, and c) seal the win with 4 straight free throws. In other words, Lindsey was simply AMAZING! She scored the final 13 points for the Mystics. Did we mention she (Lindsey) and it (the closing minutes of the game) were un-be-liev-able?
Judging from the BCs' reaction watching on Live Access and the reaction of fans on message boards, we think it's safe to say that there were plenty of happy dances being done by Mystics fans all over the DMV tonight. Ho-ly Harding, Batman, that was one exciting ending. Wow.
So the team that went slipping and sliding to an "L" this evening was the first-place Fever. And that's something that rarely happens to them at home. In fact, Indy is now 10-3 at Conseco. Two of those three home losses were to the Mystics, the other was to Connecticut. That's it.
The Mystics desperately needed a win tonight, and they got it. Not only was it the second half of a back-to-back, but they got the win in one of the most difficult arenas in the WNBA. Let's hope this was the big momentum change that Washington needed to regain its early-season form.
The Mystics will be back in the Phone Booth on Sunday to take on Tulsa at 4 PM, playing, as was announced today, in front of a "special guest" for whom "additional security measures" will be taken and, as a consequence, doors will open early, at 2:30 PM. Our thoughts about just who that "special guest" might be are in the post immediately below (link here.)
The Tulsa Shock are at the bottom of the league, with a record of 4-21. It would be exceedingly embarrassing if the Mystics lost on their home floor to Tulsa. And it would be even more embarrassing if they did it in front of Sunday's "special guest." But we don't expect that to happen. What we hope -- and expect -- to see is the Mystics play a good game in front of their ordinary-extraordinary fans and a good game in front of their one un-named "special" fan.
So on Sunday, put on your pink (it's the annual Breast Health Awareness game), leave all sharp objects at home, bring your credit card and your checkbook for the post-game fundraising auction to benefit Sibley Hospital, and get yourself to the Phone Booth early and ready to cheer on the Mystics.
Go Mystics . . . Beat the afterShock!
posted by BasketCases @ 10:33 PM
21 comments
21 Comments:
Mystics win!! The Mystics win!!!!Loved the zone defense which put us in rebounding position!! Great work ladies!!!
Let's hope the special guest sees a Mystics victory!!
Whew! What a way to squeak out a win in Indy. It was very clear that Lindsey was NOT going to let us lose.
And thanks for the tip. We'll be sure to get to the ohone booth early, and will forego the usual shoulder bag with snacks in anticipation of more scrutiny at the gates.
Way to go Lindsey Harding - woof!
Sheila hasn't been in her owner's box at all this season. Maybe it will get some action. I've been waiting for Michelle and the girls to come to a game!
It might be Obama himself at the game - his mother died of breast cancer and it's breast cancer awareness day.
Re Lindsey, what a performance! She played all 40 minutes!
Wow! Fabulous! A question since I rarely get to watch the games . . . was something up with Lindsey? Her minutes went from about 35 a game down to 28 or so, and her stats seemed a little down too, during the downturn. Now tonight--40 minutes and BAM!! Hope the dazzling play continues, but I don't want to see her burn out like last year.
Amazing! Such a sloppy game for most of it. But Lindsey was incredible. I didn't realize she played the whole game. She seemed to be having some trouble finding her shot for a while, what a great time to find it!!
I am glad they won. HOwever, they should have crushed them....44 rebounds to 22 by the Fever. We shot 49% from the field while the Fever show 37%. We had 25 turnovers. It's ridiculous. The Fever had 11 and almost pulled out a win because the Mystics can't hang on to the ball. What in the world is going on? Why are we turning over the ball so much. We won't go far if we make the playoffs. You can't win championships turning the ball over that much. It's a shame because we are one of the best rebounding teams in the league and shoot a good percentage. Turnovers are killing us.
Agreed. As nice as it was to get the win, and some of the stats were really incredible, since the break the Mystics haven't been playing like a team that could handle the playoffs.
At least the free throw percentage seemed really high. Now it's time to stop making it easier for the other team by literally giving them the ball!
Go Mystics!! 2 in a row!!
Quick question, has Sheila been in the owner's box a lot in previous years, or only occasionally?
And the turnovers are just a part of the way this team is built. This team isn't going to win pretty, ever, but they aren't going to give up. They're very much in the Detroit/Indiana mold. Which has worked pretty well in this conference.
Sheila has been to every home game except for one, the owners box is presently ungoing renovation, so she is sitting in a suite behind the visitors bench!
hi DCs :)
I was wondering if you had any information on Jackie Nared leaving college park. Is it just for the rest of the summer or will she be absent during the academic year/season?
Jackie nared left umd?
Turnovers-"this is the way this team is built"-you have got to be kidding me? Ind does not turn the ball over like the mystics. The had 11 turnovers which is why they were leAding most of the game and almost won. Detroit in their prime did not average what the mystics are in turnovers. You don't win championships turning over the ball like we are right now.
BCs:
I see that you got a question in to Mechelle Voepel this week. Maybe our win on Friday shows that the MV jinx was broken, at least she tried:
"Whoops, I forgot to answer about the East playoff teams again. OK, here goes: Atlanta, Indiana, Connecticut, New York. That's my "gift" to Mystics fans ... now the jinx is broken, right? :)"
I have also heard that Jackie Nared may be leaving MD. Can anyone confirm this????
Sorry, I saw every one of those Detroit championships. I stand by what I wrote.
I'm just happy Lindsey hit her FREE THROWS!!!! LOL! Way to go Lindsey- outstanding!
The last 10 games, the Mystics have averaged 19.80 turnovers. Our opponents, 14.60. 5.20 difference. If you think we are going to win tight games (much less a championship) turning the ball over as much as we are, you are crazy. Again, a shame because we are a great rebounding a team and a shoot a good percentage. But turnovers will kill us if we don't get it under control. The last five games, we are averaging over 20 turnovers. Terrible.
I talked to someone at the game on Sunday and she had talked to Jackie at College Park on Friday and nothing was said about her leaving.
Good. Not sure how many minutes she will get this year but glad she isn't leaving. It will take some time for the freshman to get up to speed.
Great win by the Styx! And yes, this was a fine, fine Lindsey performance. The officiating was...er...a "little" dicey, and with Katie being the recipient of several of those calls, could not be on the floor much due to foul trouble. Lindsey took the "mental toughness" baton and ran with it.
Slight correction: Obama's mom died of ovarian cancer, not breast cancer. Both are wicked - I've had both, but ovarian happens less often (and has a lower percentage of long time survivors). Glad there were plenty in attendance with cash and the desire to part with it in exchange for women's basketball related stuff.
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