
Alana Beard proved why she’s the WNBA Player of Week on more than just a few occasions.
Alana carried her team, scoring the team’s first 10 points in the first twelve minutes of the 1st quarter, on her own and was the high scorer for the team with twenty-six.
The Mystics had an early lead in the first quarter over the L.A. Sparks, leading 17-2, and pulled ahead even further with a 22-5 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Beard produced thirteen of those points.
While the Mystics owned the first half, shooting 67% from the free throw line, and 50% from the field, the Sparks changed the game plan going into the second half and started a comeback stent that brought them within ten points.
To their credit, the Sparks shot 100% from the free-throw line in the third quarter and continued closing in on the Mystics, even tieing the game, 63-63, at 3:30 going into the fourth quarter.
“We just want to come out strong early and get the lead, but we got to work on keeping the lead”, said Marissa Coleman.
Coleman, returning to play action, at home, since being sidelined with an upper ankle strain sustained in a mid-June practice session, hit a three-pointer with a minute left going into half-time, and was also instrumental defensively, blocking two L.A. shots in the game.
Shannon Bobbitt and Bettie Lennox led the Sparks with ten points each. Former Mystic, DeLisha Milton Jones, traded to the Sparks last year, scored eight points in the loss.
The Mystics were quite successful in ensuring the WNBA’s reigning MVP, Candice Parker, didn’t get the chance to score in last night’s game.
Parker, returning to the NBA lineup, post-maternity leave, was kept to a mere two points.
“Candace is a great player”, said Mystics head coach Julie Plank. “So, we teamed, and doubled teamed Candace tonight.”
The Mystics pulled off the 75-63 victory in front of the home crowd that repeatedly chanted “Beat L.A.!”
Sparks’ Lisa Leslie, who many were looking to see in action, did not play and it was reported that Leslie may not have made the trip to DC with her teammates.
This season will be the last season of play in the WNBA for Lisa Leslie as she retires after 15 years combined in the WNBA and in international play.
The Mystics face the San Antonio Silver Stars at home this Wednesday.
"I'm real proud of the way our team played tonight", said Plank.
[Photo: Wallace Barron for DC UrbanSports]
