Bird Scores 14 as Storm Beat Mystics

Storm 64, Mystics 49

SEATTLE -- Sue Bird had 14 points and seven assists to lead a balanced attack as the Seattle Storm beat the Washington Mystics 64-49 on Sunday night.

Lauren Jackson scored 13 points, Sheryl Swoopes 11, Swin Cash 10 and Yolanda Griffith nine to help Seattle (9-7) move into third place in the Western Conference, one-half game behind second-place San Antonio (9-6).

Alana Beard scored 16 points, but was just was 6-for-17 from the field for Washington. The Mystics had won four of five, including three straight on the road.

Seattle improved to 8-1 at home. The Mystics' 49 points were a season low. They scored 52 in a loss to San Antonio on June 6.

The Mystics cut a 13-deficit to seven in the third quarter. But Jackson hit a 3-pointer from the right corner to give the Storm a 47-37 lead to end the period.

Bird had nine points and three assists in the first half to help the Storm lead by as many as 14 points. Bird shot 6-for-10 from the field, and made two 3-pointers.

The Storm led 35-24 at halftime.

The Storm bounced back from a 76-62 loss at Los Angeles on Tuesday, their fourth loss in five games.

Monique Currie had four points for the Mystics after averaging 20 points per game in the previous three games. She shot 1-for-8 from the field. Currie had 24 points in a 77-74 overtime win at Los Angeles on Thursday.