By Camille Powell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 24, 2006; E01
So much has been made of the offseason improvements made by the Washington Mystics, but a familiar face -- albeit one sporting a new look -- was the catalyst behind their dominating 95-60 season-opening victory over the New York Liberty last night.
Third-year guard Alana Beard, who has a new close-cropped hairdo but the same wide-eyed scowl, scored 23 of her game-high 25 points in the first half as Washington built a double-digit lead it never relinquished. She missed only 1 of 12 shots from the field, a rushed shot from the right corner at the third-quarter buzzer.
"I was aggravated when she missed that one," Mystics Coach Richie Adubato joked.
Every player scored for Washington, which plays at Charlotte tomorrow night. DeLisha Milton-Jones, who earlier in the day was named to the USA Basketball women's world championship team, had 12 points and four steals, and reserve guard Coco Miller added 10 points.
Point guard Nikki Teasley, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Los Angeles, was hampered by foul trouble and scored only two points, but she added seven assists. Forward Crystal Robinson, who signed with the Mystics as a free agent after spending the previous seven seasons with the Liberty, had nine points.
Beard was disappointed with last season, when she battled injuries and the Mystics finished 16-18, just shy of the playoffs. Her coaches and teammates have noticed a difference so far this year.
"She's more determined, but she's always been very intense," Milton-Jones said. "This season, she's come back more explosive. She's not the wide-eyed rookie anymore, looking like a deer in headlights."
The Mystics, from the front office on down, feel that this is the most talented team in franchise history.
They had more than enough talent to blow away New York; Washington overwhelmed the Liberty with its defense and transition game. The Mystics' guards applied tremendous pressure on the perimeter, and their front-court players blocked shots and stripped the ball; they set a franchise record by forcing New York into 30 turnovers.
"We had 18 steals, and that means you're really working," Adubato said. "Your hands are working, you're working for deflections, you're getting over screens, you're active. Of course, with all of those, when you pick up those steals, you turn them into fast breaks. We were able to turn that defensive tenacity in the first quarter and jump out on them in the first quarter."
Adubato, who once coached the Liberty, said that he was particularly concerned with Liberty guards Becky Hammon (seven points and five turnovers) and Shameka Christon (18 points on 6-of-18 shooting). But Beard and Robinson helped neutralize the two New York veterans.
The Mystics needed only eight minutes to put away the Liberty. Beard set the tone right away, poking the ball away from Hammon on New York's first possession; Teasley scooped it up and fed it back to Beard for an easy fast-break layup. The Liberty committed five straight turnovers to start the game, and Washington scored the first 14 points.
After Milton-Jones sank a three-pointer from the left corner with 1 minute 53 seconds left in the first quarter, Washington led 25-3.
With 2.8 seconds left in the half, Beard inbounded the ball on the right side to Nikki Blue, who immediately passed it back to her in the corner. Beard's three-pointer ripped through the net as the halftime buzzer sounded, giving Washington a 50-36 lead, and she sat down in one of the courtside seats, gave her mother a high-five and grinned.
"I walk into the gym every day and I'm smiling. I can't wait to get onto the court," Beard said. "I don't know, maybe I am more determined. Or maybe I'm having more fun. That was my goal this year: to have more fun."
· MONARCHS 76, SKY 63: Nicole Powell scored 19 points and defending WNBA champion Sacramento spoiled Chicago's home opener. The Sky is 1-1.
· FEVER 62, SILVER STARS 53: Tamika Catchings scored 23 points and Tamika Whitmore added 16 to lead visiting Indiana past San Antonio.
· SPARKS 72, STING 65: Jessica Moore's driving layup with 43 seconds left put Los Angeles in front, and the Sparks scored the last seven points against host Charlotte to get their first win of the season.
· SUN 81, LYNX 69: Katie Douglas tied a career high with 28 points to lead visiting Connecticut over Minnesota.
· COMETS 84, STORM 59: Tina Thompson scored 15 of her 19 points in the first half as visiting Houston cruised to victory. Dominique Canty also scored 19 for the Comets.
UP NEXT Mystics at Sting 7 p.m. tomorrow No TV, WWRC (1260 AM)
