Mystics Fail to Finish Comeback

Washington Rallies in Fourth, but Can't Close Out Silver Stars: Silver Stars 79, Mystics 78

The Washington Mystics have stressed recently the need to improve in late-game situations -- to reach deep, play gritty defense, scrap and make shots in key situations. They did all that yesterday against the San Antonio Silver Stars, but the endgame still failed the Mystics.

Washington outscored the Silver Stars 25-19 in the fourth quarter, holding them scoreless in the final minute. Trailing by one in the game's closing seconds, Washington had two chances to steal an unlikely win. Instead, on consecutive inbounds plays in the final 3.6 seconds it failed to get a shot off and watched San Antonio escape with a 79-78 win.

"Unfortunately we didn't execute it the way we wanted to, but they did a good job of defending it also," said Mystics guard Alana Beard, who finished with 17 points.

Lindsey Harding's first inbounds pass was to Crystal Langhorne, who was fouled. Her second was knocked away by San Antonio.

"No one was open, really," said Harding, who led the Mystics with 18 points.

The Mystics' opportunity for a comeback came after San Antonio star Becky Hammon, who scored a game-high 21 points, was called for a charge against reserve Matee Ajavon.

Washington was sparked by the second-half performance of Beard, despite being called for her fourth foul with 7 minutes 5 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Coach Julie Plank opted to let Beard play through it.

"I have a lot of confidence [in Beard] with four fouls," Plank said. On Tuesday, Beard was elected to be a starter in her fourth WNBA all-star game.

Beard picked up her fourth foul with Washington down by 11, but she responded by making three three-point baskets in the third quarter. She avoided committing her fifth foul until 2:04 remained in the game when she was whistled for hitting Hammon on a three-point attempt. Hammon, also announced as an all-star starter this week, calmly hit all three free throws.

After the call Beard sprinted to the other end of the floor, shaking her head and yelling, "No."

Hammon's free throws extended San Antonio's lead to seven, but Harding quickly hit a three-pointer with 1:53 remaining.

The fourth-quarter play of Ajavon almost closed that gap. The guard registered 14 points in 19 minutes overall and, in addition to drawing the late charge on Hammon, was responsible for Washington's final five points. She stripped the ball from Hammon with 1:32 remaining and converted a fast-break layup. And she nailed a three-pointer from the corner after Beard was able to make a pass when she appeared to be trapped on the baseline.