Teasley's Grit Leads Mystics to Key Victory

The Mystics surround guard Coco Miller after defeating the Connecticut Sun, 65-64, at the Verizon Center on Tuesday. (Toni L. Sandys - The Post)

"Nikki's a great leader, and her saying that really speaks volumes," said Coco Miller, who scored 15 points as a reserve. "She leads more by example, but she says things now and then. We really needed that at halftime."

Beard, who notched all 18 of the Mystics' fourth-quarter points, also gave credit to Teasley and her outspokenness.

"A lot of times you don't hear from her," Beard said. "The only time you hear from Nikki Teasley is on the floor, when she's directing traffic.

"She didn't have to play tonight. I'm sure she played in pain tonight. But she stepped it up and played with heart. She sucked it up for the team."

Mystics Notes: Before the game, Sheila Johnson, the Mystics' president and managing partner, presented Beard and Miller each with a game ball from Saturday's loss in Seattle. Beard recorded her 2,000th career point and Miller her 500th career rebound in that game.

· SKY 77, LIBERTY 65: Jia Perkins scored 24 points as host Chicago (13-19) snapped a five-game losing streak and handed New York (13-18) its 10th loss in 13 games.

Chasity Melvin, the Sky's starting center, was taken to a hospital after she was poked in the left eye in the first quarter. Preliminary tests showed no loss of vision, a team spokeswoman said.

· COMETS 81, SHOCK 73: Tina Thompson had 25 points and nine rebounds as visiting Houston (12-20) beat Detroit (24-8), which played without all-stars Cheryl Ford (knee) and Kara Braxton (suspension).

· STORM 81, LYNX 67: Lauren Jackson had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Seattle (16-17) pulled away from visiting Minnesota (8-24) in the fourth quarter.

· SILVER STARS 84, SPARKS 77: Sophia Young and Vickie Johnson each scored 19 points for visiting San Antonio (20-11) in its overtime win over Los Angeles (10-22).

Staff writer Marc Carig contributed to this report.