What we enjoyed most about today’s game were the smiles on the faces of the Mystics players as the clock wound down to 0:00 in the fourth quarter. It’s been a rough season thus far for the Washington players (and their fans), but it got just a little better this afternoon, as Washington posted a decisive victory in the Phone Booth over the cellar-dwelling Tulsa Shock, 83-63, who came to our Nation’s capital winless on the road, and are leaving the same way.While the Mystics got major contributions from several players, it was the smile on the face of Crystal Langhorne that made us happiest. Following that embarrassing loss last week to the Shock in Tulsa, Lang sent the Shock a message early (and often) that today’s game wouldn’t be anything like that one. Lang scored the first bucket of the game, and by the end of the first quarter, she was already in double figures. Lang finished with 23 points to lead all scorers, and her team never trailed in the game.
Lang may have led the way, but she got plenty of help from the other starters. Marissa and Nicky each finished with 13 points and a double-double; Riss grabbed 12 boards, while Nicky got 10. It was good to see Riss finally find a bit of a groove.
Two of Marissa’s points came on the receiving end of a highlight-reel behind-the-back pass from Matee. That one was definitely worth a second look on the Jumbotron. As for Matee, she finished just behind Lang in the scoring department, with 21 points. And she was her usual high-energy self . . . 6 assists, 4 steals, and 5 boards in addition to all her scoring.
All in all, a happy day for the players and their fans, in what to date has been a less-than-happy season. It was definitely good to see them smile.
posted by BasketCases @ 7:42 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Best game by Marissa since she has been a Mystic. Her effort on the boards brought back memories of her in a Terps uniform. That's the Marissa Coleman I remember. I think we should write in Mattee's name for the All Star game. Her and Lang deserve to be there, I think.
Hoping the team can put the same game together against Seattle.
Riss was an absolute BEAST on the boards today!
Loved how the Mystics played tonight, especially Coleman and Ajavon.
Go Mystics!
They all played pretty good, in all aspects. It was nice to see the rookies get a lot of time and they really seem to be benefiting from it. I watched the game again at home. Matee and Kelly made some unbelievable passes. Victoria had an amazing block. Just a fun game to watch. Let's Go Mystics!
Matee is definitely my write-in everytime! It's a shame they even have Alana on the ballot.
It was a fun game to watch. A true team effort. They also had a good crowd that was really into the game. Its nice to watch the rookies grow up in front of our eyes. Crystal was Crystal. Matee was amazing. Marissa and Nicky's double/double along with Kelly's defesne rounded out the effort. It appears that Trudi and her staff have finally got this team to move in the right direction. They played well against Indiana and even better against Tulsa. Hopefully, we'll keep learning and improving and will be ready for Seattle next week.
I don't understand the all star balloting at all. Why is Alana or Marissa even on the ballot and Matee isn't. They vote way too early and therefore the people that truly deserve it are left off. Matee deserves to at least be on the ballot. We shouldn't have to write her name in.
I suspect each team nominates its own players at the beginning of the season, and Matee was expected to be subbing for Alana, not starting.
The All Star nominations come from wjat the team announces what their starting line-up will be and that was Alana, Crystal, Marissa, Nicky, and Kelly. Matee was put in when Alana couldn't play in the first game.
I am pleased with the effort last Sunday. Let's hope that it continues this Sunday against the Storm.
This Duke and Mystics fan was THRILLED to watch Rissa play with passion, confidence and execution. I have been disappointed by this fact not being more widely mentioned as for me, watching Coleman play this way was just as important as the victory. Well, almost as important. I think Karima is a good rookie understudy and I love to see Marissa set the bar high for her. If these two compete hard to earn playing time, the winner will be the team and fans.
Coleman is the key. She must contribute in rebounds and points every game.
Post a Comment
<< Home