Beard's Return Sparks Mystics

Team Ends Three-Game Slide, Wins First Game at Home: Mystics 74, Lynx 71

The Washington Mystics had hoped that Alana Beard's return would improve their fortunes. Missing their top returning scorer from last season, the Mystics had lost three of their first four games.

Beard's season debut proved to be the remedy for the Mystics' woes. Washington ended its three-game skid by defeating Minnesota, 74-71, last night before 9,620 at MCI Center.

"Before the game in the locker room, I put an old saying of mine on the board -- sometimes it works: 'You've got to dig down deep,' " Mystics Coach Richie Adubato said. "Because our backs were at the wall. We could not afford to get four losses at home. This was a must game for us."

Chasity Melvin finished with season highs in points (17) and rebounds (10) for Washington (2-3), which had four players in double figures. The double-double was Melvin's first this season. Rookie Temeka Johnson had 10 assists -- her second straight game in double figures in that category -- and 12 points for the first double-double of her professional career.

Sitting courtside, Wizards players Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood saw Washington win its first home game this season.

"Sometimes pressure can hurt you or it can make you better, and tonight it made us better," Melvin said. "It shows that we have great character on this team. Hopefully, we can just move on from here."

Beard, who missed the first four games because of a right ankle sprain, started in place of Coco Miller. She admitted that she was a bit rusty early in the game. She missed her first two shots and her first three free throws, but her presence alone made a significant difference for Washington.

"We look completely different" as a team, Adubato said. "It's the charisma that she brings to the court. It's the excitement that she brings to the court."

Beard, as was the case last season, played point guard and shooting guard. She scored 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting and had two assists.

"I felt good," she said. "I've got to get my legs underneath me a little bit more, but, hey, it felt good. After my first couple shots, I think I started to get back into it a little bit."

In the first half, Beard fell to the court after being fouled by Amanda Lassiter and came up limping. Beard grimaced while jogging to the bench for a timeout. She came back from the break and made both free throws.

DeLisha Milton-Jones, who sat out Wednesday's game against New York because of a right knee strain, entered with 13 minutes 58 seconds remaining in the first half. She finished with 16 points.